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This Crested Barbet was feeling its oats in Kruger National Park! (Photo by Jesse Fagan)
Our 2014 South Africa tour was one of our best to date, with great looks at virtually all of the region's endemic birds and more than 50 species of mammals. The weather was also really kind to us, and not a single day was lost to rain or high winds which often occur somewhere along our route.
Beginning in Johannesburg we flew to Upington and made our way to Pofadder in the heart of the arid northwest. We enjoyed Karoo and White-quilled bustards here, as well as Namaqua Sandgrouse, White-backed Mousebird, Pygmy Falcon, Karoo Long-billed and Stark's larks, Rufous-eared Warbler, and Social Weavers (and their massive 'haystack' nests). We also made a special visit to our site for Red Lark, and once again everyone got fabulous views. Mammal highlights in this stark environment included Slender-tailed Meerkat and Springbok.
We then headed southwest to Lambert's Bay, stopping along the way at Goegap, a delightful small reserve with many indigenous plants; Verreaux's Eagle was soaring along the rocky ridge as we arrived, and it wasn't too long before we were watching Layard's Warbler and Malachite Sunbird and enjoying our best views ever of the secretive Kopje Warbler.
As always the Lambert's Bay Cape Gannet colony was a thrill for everyone -- especially those with an interest in close-up bird photography. In the nearby karoo vegetation, Cape Clapper, Karoo, Cape (Long-billed) and Large-billed larks were four endemic larks all at the same spot. It was then a long drive to Cape Town, but Blue Crane in the farmland, Greater and Lesser flamingoes at Veldrif, and a super-close Black Harrier at West Coast National Park added plenty of excitement.
We then had three nights near Cape Town, where on a fabulous pelagic off Cape Point we caught up with two trawlers and were literally surrounded with hundreds of seabirds, including four species of albatrosses, White-chinned and Cape petrels, Great and Sooty shearwaters, both Giant-Petrels, and the occasional (rather uncommon) Black-bellied Storm-petrel. In complete contrast, the following day saw us walking along a rock-strewn mountainside covered in endemic plants as we searched out Cape Rockjumper, Cape Grassbird, and Cape Sugarbird. The nearby Jackass Penguin colony provided great photo-ops, and the colony of cormorants gave excellent opportunities to compare the differences between Bank, Cape, and Great.
We then flew to Durban and headed inland to Underberg, our base for a visit to the Sani Pass and Lesotho. As we climbed to almost 10,000 ft., good weather was critical to the day's success -- and good weather it was, enabling us to enjoy a stunning Bald Ibis in full sunlight, Lammergeier, Cape Griffon, Ground Woodpecker, Drakensberg Rockjumper, Sentinel Rock-Thrush, and Drakensberg Siskin. A few early morning hours at nearby Bulwer Forest gave us Orange Ground-Thrush, Forest Canary, and our main target, Brown-necked (Cape) Parrot.
And then we headed south-east, to Oribi Gorge -- seeing Wattled Cranes and Blue Swallow along the way. Oribi once again proved fruitful, giving us great scope views of the "difficult" Knysna Woodpecker, Knysna Turaco, Narina Trogon, Black-collared Barbet, Olive Bushshrike, and Brown Scrub-Robin.
Back to the coast and then north of Durban we headed for St. Lucia, an area of forest, reedbed, and estuary. Highlights were our first Hippos, Banded Mongoose, and Red Duikers, while the numerous new birds included Crested Guineafowl, a good variety of shorebirds and terns, Lemon Dove, Livingstone's Turaco, Woodward's Batis, Eastern Nicator, Rudd's Apalis, and Southern Brown-throated Weaver.
Heading still further north we spent a day in the fabulous Mkuze (Mkuzi) Reserve, where we watched African Openbill, Yellow-billed Storks, and Great White Pelicans at the flooded pan, and Bateleurs and White-backed Vultures crossing the skies. While in the bush country and sand forest we slowly picked out Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, Red-fronted Tinkerbird, White and Retz's helmetshrikes, Four-colored Bushshrike, White-throated Robin-Chat, Neergard's Sunbird, Black-tailed Waxbill, and Pink-throated Twinspot. The mammals were also impressive with good close looks at Burchell's Zebra, Common Giraffe, Nyala, Great Kudu, Blue Wildebeest, Impala and, right at the end of the day, two close White Rhino!
We then headed inland to the high-altitude grasslands around Wakkerstroom, where herds of Black Wildebeest at the local reserve were a highlight as we approached the town, and then together with a local expert we found such localized endemics as Blue Bustard, Rudd's and Botha's larks, and Yellow-breasted Pipit. More widespread highlights included Red-winged Francolin, displaying Stanley Bustard, "Barrow's" Bustard, African Snipe, South African Swallow, Cloud Cisticola, and African Quailfinch (in the scope).
Now into the last week of our tour we stopped to see the rare Taita Falcon before continuing to the famous Kruger National Park -- a vast area of acacia woodland, grassland, seasonal pools, and rivers. Using Satara Rest Camp as a base, we slowly drove the roads and tracks, seeing numerous zebra, giraffe, kudu, and wildebeest, but most impressive were the herds of African Buffalo (Red-billed Oxpeckers in attendance), Lion (we saw at least 13), and several very close herds of African Elephants. We saw almost 150 species of birds, with just a few of the new ones being Shelley's, Natal, and Swainson's francolins, Saddle-billed Stork, White-headed and Lappet-faced vultures, Kori Bustard, Levaillant's Cuckoo, Giant Kingfisher, White-fronted Bee-eater, Southern Ground-Hornbill, Brown-headed Parrot, Magpie Shrike, Arrow-marked Babbler, Burchell's Glossy-Starling, and Red-headed Weaver.
Leaving Kruger behind we headed west to the mist forest belt at Magoesbaskloof, stopping for close scope views of Bat Hawk along the way. The mist belt was anything but, with bright sun throughout our stay. The unusual weather made for slow birding, but we did add African Wood-Owl, Olive Woodpecker, Black-fronted Bushshrike, Gray Cuckooshrike, and Yellow-streaked Greenbul.
Our tour then concluded with a visit to the Polokwane Reserve about three hours north of Johannesburg. There, in co-leader Joe Grosel's home-patch, we quickly found the local specials, including the stunning Crimson-breasted Gonolek, the extremely localized endemic Short-clawed Lark, Pearl-breasted Swallow, Ashy Tit, Southern (Cape) Penduline-Tit, Burnt-neck Eremomela, Kalahari Scrub-Robin, and Green-winged Pytilia.
It was great doing the tour with you. Good birding to all!
--Terry
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
BIRDS
Struthionidae (Ostrich)
We had excellent views of Drakensberg Rockjumper at Sani Pass. (Photo by Jesse Fagan)
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata) – About 70 in the St. Lucia to Mkuze area, and 8 near Polokwane.
EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Alopochen aegyptiaca) – Common and widespread throughout the tour.
SOUTH AFRICAN SHELDUCK (Tadorna cana) – Small numbers at Lambert's Bay, Oribi Gorge, and Wakkerstroom. [E]
SPUR-WINGED GOOSE (Plectropterus gambensis) – Widespread at both wetlands and open farm country in the Cape region, the east, and around Wakkerstroom.
YELLOW-BILLED DUCK (Anas undulata) – Small numbers at a variety of wetlands throughout the tour; in all we saw about 60.
CAPE SHOVELER (Anas smithii) – First seen near Lambert's Bay, and then at Cape Town and Chrissiesmeer. [E]
RED-BILLED DUCK (Anas erythrorhyncha) – Small numbers at Veldrif, Cape Town, and Chrissiesmeer.
HOTTENTOT TEAL (Anas hottentota) – Four at Wakkerstroom.
CAPE TEAL (Anas capensis) – About at dozen near Lambert's Bay, and 300+ at Cape Town.
SOUTHERN POCHARD (Netta erythrophthalma) – Twenty at Cape Town sewage works.
Numididae (Guineafowl)
HELMETED GUINEAFOWL (Numida meleagris) – Widespread in a variety of open bush land.
CRESTED GUINEAFOWL (Guttera pucherani) – Great looks at St. Lucia and Mkuze.
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
CRESTED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus sephaena) – Small numbers at Kruger and Polokwane.
RED-WINGED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus levaillantii) – We saw a single female in the high altitude grasslands near Wakkerstroom.
GRAY-WINGED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus africanus) – Fabulous looks at 3 right next to the road in West Coast NP. [E]
SHELLEY'S FRANCOLIN (Francolinus shelleyi) – Another secretive francolin that we all saw really well; 4 at Kruger.
CAPE FRANCOLIN (Francolinus capensis) – Common from Lambert's Bay to West Coast NP; in all we saw about 30. [E]
NATAL FRANCOLIN (Francolinus natalensis) – About a dozen at Kruger.
RED-NECKED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus afer) – One near Wakkerstroom.
SWAINSON'S FRANCOLIN (Francolinus swainsonii) – Fairly common at Kruger and Polokwane.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis) – Small numbers at a variety of wetlands.
GREAT CRESTED GREBE (Podiceps cristatus) – Two near Lambert's Bay, and 3 at Cape Town sewage works.
EARED GREBE (Podiceps nigricollis) – Four at Cape Town sewage works.
Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
Lesser Flamingos (Photo by Jesse Fagan)
LESSER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus minor) – About 70 at Veldrif.
Spheniscidae (Penguins)
JACKASS PENGUIN (Spheniscus demersus) – A few around Simonstown, and 600+ at Stony Point. [E]
Diomedeidae (Albatrosses)
YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS (ATLANTIC) (Thalassarche chlororhynchos chlororhynchos) – At least 5 were seen during our pelagic off Cape Point.
YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS (INDIAN) (Thalassarche chlororhynchos bassi) – At least three during our pelagic off Cape Point.
WHITE-CAPPED ALBATROSS (Thalassarche cauta) – By far the most numerous albatross during our pelagic trip.
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS (Thalassarche melanophris) – About half a dozen off Cape Point.
Procellariidae (Shearwaters and Petrels)
SOUTHERN GIANT-PETREL (Macronectes giganteus) – One during the pelagic trip.
NORTHERN GIANT-PETREL (Macronectes halli) – Great to be able to compare this with the previous species during the pelagic trip; we saw 3 or 4.
CAPE PETREL (Daption capense) – We saw about 20 of these striking birds during our pelagic trip.
WHITE-CHINNED PETREL (Procellaria aequinoctialis) – One off Lambert's Bay, and then a few hundred during our pelagic trip.
GREAT SHEARWATER (Puffinus gravis) – Perhaps 20 were seen during our pelagic trip.
SOOTY SHEARWATER (Puffinus griseus) – About 12 from the boat off Cape Point.
Hydrobatidae (Storm-Petrels)
WILSON'S STORM-PETREL (Oceanites oceanicus) – At least 30 were seen off Cape Point.
An immature Black-browed Albatross during our pelagic off Cape Point (Photo by Jesse Fagan)
Ciconiidae (Storks)
AFRICAN OPENBILL (Anastomus lamelligerus) – Abut 60 at Mkuze, and 5 at Kruger.
WOOLLY-NECKED STORK (Ciconia episcopus) – Four in the St. Lucia area.
WHITE STORK (Ciconia ciconia) – Four near Wakkerstroom.
SADDLE-BILLED STORK (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) – Three at Kruger.
YELLOW-BILLED STORK (Mycteria ibis) – Eight at Mkuze, 4 at Dirkiesdorp, and half a dozen at Kruger.
Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets)
CAPE GANNET (Morus capensis) – According to local staff the colony at Lambert's Bay were estimated to be 5000 pairs, and we also saw a few hundred in the Cape region.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo) – About 50 at Lambert's Bay, and a few others elsewhere.
CAPE CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax capensis) – Very common from Lambert's Bay to the Cape. [E]
BANK CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax neglectus) – Four near Simonstown, and about 20 at Stony Point. [E]
LONG-TAILED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax africanus) – Common at fresh water wetlands throughout the tour.
CROWNED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax coronatus) – About a dozen at Lambert's Bay. [E]
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
AFRICAN DARTER (Anhinga rufa rufa) – Singles at Veldrif, Franklin Marsh, and Mkuze.
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
PINK-BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens) – One at Mkuze.
Scopidae (Hamerkop)
HAMERKOP (Scopus umbretta) – Small numbers in the Wakkerstroom, Kruger, Polokwane area.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea) – Widespread at wetlands throughout the tour; in total we saw about 40.
BLACK-HEADED HERON (Ardea melanocephala) – More of a grassland species than Gray Heron; they were widespread throughout the tour with a total of about 70.
GOLIATH HERON (Ardea goliath) – Singles at Chrissiesmeer and Kruger.
PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea) – Four in the St. Lucia area, and then singles at Mkuze and Wakkerstroom.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba) – About half a dozen at a variety of widespread wetlands.
INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Mesophoyx intermedia) – Two at Franklin Marsh, and 4 at Wakkerstroom.
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta) – Widespread in small numbers.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis) – Common and widespread.
SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides) – Three at Franklin Marsh, 1 at Mkuze, and 10 at Wakkerstroom.
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata) – Four at Kruger, and 3 at Wakkerstroom.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus) – Small numbers at Cape Town, Mkuze and Wakkerstroom; in all we saw about 45.
SACRED IBIS (Threskiornis aethiopicus) – Common and widespread.
BALD IBIS (Geronticus calvus) – Fabulous looks at a close bird in full sunlight on top of Sani Pass, and then more distant looks in the Wakkerstroom to Lydenburg area. [E]
A fabulous view of Bald Ibis at Sani Pass (Photo by Jesse Fagan)
AFRICAN SPOONBILL (Platalea alba) – We saw a total of 16 at a variety of widely scattered wetlands.
Sagittariidae (Secretary-bird)
SECRETARY-BIRD (Sagittarius serpentarius) – Singles at West Coast NP, near Wakkerstroom, and at Kruger.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus) – Singles at Mkuze and Kruger.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE (Elanus caeruleus) – Common and widespread in open country.
AFRICAN HARRIER-HAWK (Polyboroides typus) – Two at Oribi Gorge.
LAMMERGEIER (Gypaetus barbatus) – Great looks at a low flying bird at the top of Sani Pass.
WHITE-HEADED VULTURE (Trigonoceps occipitalis) – Four at Kruger.
LAPPET-FACED VULTURE (Torgos tracheliotus) – Two (together with other vultures) at Kruger.
HOODED VULTURE (Necrosyrtes monachus) – Eight at Kruger.
WHITE-BACKED VULTURE (Gyps africanus) – The most common large vulture, with a total of about 80 mainly at Mkuze and Kruger.
CAPE GRIFFON (Gyps coprotheres) – We saw small numbers of this near-threatened species at Sani Pass, Abel Erasmus Pass, and Polokwane. [E]
BATELEUR (Terathopius ecaudatus) – Most frequently seen in Kruger, but also a few others elsewhere; in all we saw about 20.
BLACK-BREASTED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus pectoralis) – We saw an immature in the Pofadder area, and then an adult at Kruger.
BROWN SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus cinereus) – Singles at Mkuze and Kruger.
BAT HAWK (Macheiramphus alcinus) – Fantastic close looks at the pair near Agatha.
CROWNED HAWK-EAGLE (Stephanoaetus coronatus) – Nice scope views of a bird near its nest at Howick Falls.
MARTIAL EAGLE (Polemaetus bellicosus) – One at Mkuze, and 2 at Kruger.
LONG-CRESTED EAGLE (Lophaetus occipitalis) – Half a dozen in the Underberg to Oribi Gorge area.
WAHLBERG'S EAGLE (Hieraaetus wahlbergi) – Three at Kruger, and then singles at Magoesbaskloof and Polokwane.
TAWNY EAGLE (Aquila rapax) – Singles at Mkuze and Kruger.
VERREAUX'S EAGLE (Aquila verreauxii) – Good looks at a flying bird over the ridges at Goegap.
PALE CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax canorus) – About 20 in the Pofadder area, and 4 near Lambert's Bay. [E]
GABAR GOSHAWK (Micronisus gabar) – Singles at Kruger and Polokwane.
AFRICAN MARSH-HARRIER (Circus ranivorus) – We saw a total of 5 in a variety of widespread wetlands.
BLACK HARRIER (Circus maurus) – Fabulous looks right next to one of our vehicles near West Coast NP. [E]
SHIKRA (Accipiter badius) – One at Kruger.
The elegant Pale Chanting-Goshawk, near Pofadder (Photo by Jesse Fagan)
BLACK KITE (YELLOW-BILLED) (Milvus migrans parasitus) – Common and widespread.
AFRICAN FISH-EAGLE (Haliaeetus vocifer) – Small numbers at St. Lucia, Mkuze, and Kruger.
COMMON BUZZARD (Buteo buteo) – Fairly common and widespread; in all we saw a total of about 20.
JACKAL BUZZARD (Buteo rufofuscus) – Common and widespread, with a total of about 30. [E]
Otididae (Bustards)
KORI BUSTARD (Ardeotis kori) – Great looks at a large male at Kruger.
LUDWIG'S BUSTARD (Neotis ludwigii) – Good looks in the arid country near Pofadder. [E]
STANLEY BUSTARD (Neotis denhami) – We had scope views of 2 rather distant birds near Wakkerstroom.
WHITE-BELLIED BUSTARD (BARROW'S) (Eupodotis senegalensis barrowii) – Three in the Wakkerstroom area; many authorities now split this as Barrow's Bustard. [E]
BLUE BUSTARD (Eupodotis caerulescens) – We saw a total of 10 in the high altitude grasslands near Wakkerstroom. [E]
KAROO BUSTARD (Eupodotis vigorsii) – Six in the Pofadder area. [E]
BLACK BUSTARD (Eupodotis afra) – We saw a single male and then a female at West Coast NP. [E]
WHITE-QUILLED BUSTARD (Eupodotis afraoides) – Two in the Pofadder area. [E]
BLACK-BELLIED BUSTARD (Lissotis melanogaster) – Four at Mkuze, 1 at Wakkerstroom, and 2 at Kruger.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
AFRICAN RAIL (Rallus caerulescens) – Some of the group saw 1 in the wetland at Wakkerstroom.
BLACK CRAKE (Amaurornis flavirostra) – Small numbers at St. Lucia, Kruger, and Polokwane.
PURPLE SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio) – About a dozen at Wakkerstroom, and 1 at Mkuze.
EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus) – Widespread at wetlands throughout the tour.
RED-KNOBBED COOT (Fulica cristata) – Widespread at wetlands throughout the tour.
Heliornithidae (Finfoots)
AFRICAN FINFOOT (Podica senegalensis) – We saw a single bird swimming across the main channel just outside St. Lucia town.
Gruidae (Cranes)
GRAY CROWNED-CRANE (Balearica regulorum) – About 30 in the Franklin area, and 2 near Wakkerstroom.
BLUE CRANE (Anthropoides paradiseus) – We saw these beautiful cranes at Piketburg, Sani Pass, and near Wakkerstroom. [E]
WATTLED CRANE (Bugeranus carunculatus) – Two in the farmland near Franklin Marsh.
Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
Black-bellied Bustard in Kruger National Park (Photo by Jesse Fagan)
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus) – Widespread in small numbers.
PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta) – Widespread in small numbers.
Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)
AFRICAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus moquini) – Five at Lambert's Bay, and 4 near Cape Town. [E]
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) – Four at St. Lucia.
BLACKSMITH PLOVER (Vanellus armatus) – Common and widespread.
CROWNED LAPWING (Vanellus coronatus) – Most common at Kruger (20+), and a few others elsewhere.
WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus senegallus) – Small numbers at Underberg, St. Lucia, Mkuze, and Wakkerstroom; in all we saw about 18.
KITTLITZ'S PLOVER (Charadrius pecuarius) – One near Pofadder, and 2 at Stony Point.
COMMON RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula) – About 30 at St. Lucia.
THREE-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius tricollaris) – Small numbers were widespread throughout the tour.
WHITE-FRONTED PLOVER (Charadrius marginatus) – Six at Veldrif, about a dozen at St. Lucia, and 2 at Kruger.
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus) – Six at Mkuze, and 3 at Kruger.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos) – Small numbers at St. Lucia, Mkuze, Kruger and Polokwane.
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia) – We saw a total of about 10 at a variety of widespread wetlands.
WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola) – Small numbers at St. Lucia, Wakkerstroom, and Polokwane.
WHIMBREL (Numenius phaeopus) – Two at Cape Town sewage works, and 1 at St. Lucia; birds here are the white-backed nominate form.
EURASIAN CURLEW (Numenius arquata) – One at Cape Town sewage works.
BAR-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa lapponica) – One at St. Lucia.
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres) – Two at St. Lucia.
CURLEW SANDPIPER (Calidris ferruginea) – About 100 at Veldrif, 60 at St. Lucia, and 10 at Mkuze.
SANDERLING (Calidris alba) – Three at St. Lucia.
LITTLE STINT (Calidris minuta) – Common at Veldrif, St. Lucia and Mkuze; in all we saw about 400.
AFRICAN SNIPE (Gallinago nigripennis) – Two at Wakkerstroom.
Glareolidae (Pratincoles and Coursers)
COLLARED PRATINCOLE (Glareola pratincola) – Two at Mkuze.
Stercorariidae (Skuas and Jaegers)
Impala (Photo by Jesse Fagan)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
SABINE'S GULL (Xema sabini) – One of the group saw 1 at Lambert's Bay.
GRAY-HOODED GULL (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus) – Small numbers at Johannesburg, Lambert's Bay, and St. Lucia.
HARTLAUB'S GULL (Chroicocephalus hartlaubii) – Very common around Lambert's Bay and the Cape. [E]
KELP GULL (CAPE) (Larus dominicanus vetula) – Very common around Lambert's Bay and the Cape. [E]
WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida) – Two at Mkuze, and about 10 (in fine breeding plumage) near Chrissiesmeer.
COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo) – About 80 at Lambert's Bay, and a couple of hundred during our pelagic trip.
GREAT CRESTED TERN (Thalasseus bergii) – We saw a total of about 300 between Lambert's Bay and the Cape.
SANDWICH TERN (Thalasseus sandvicensis) – Six at Lambert's Bay, and 1 at St. Lucia.
LESSER CRESTED TERN (Thalasseus bengalensis) – One at St. Lucia.
Pteroclidae (Sandgrouse)
NAMAQUA SANDGROUSE (Pterocles namaqua) – Nice looks as several small groups that came to drink at the sheep watering troughs near Pofadder.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – Widespread in towns and villages throughout the tour.
SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea) – Common and widespread throughout the tour.
RAMERON PIGEON (Columba arquatrix) – Three at Bulwer Forest.
LEMON DOVE (Columba larvata) – Nice looks at this normally very shy species in the forest at St. Lucia.
MOURNING COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decipiens) – Small numbers at Kruger.
RED-EYED DOVE (Streptopelia semitorquata) – Common and widespread.
RING-NECKED DOVE (Streptopelia capicola) – Very common and widespread.
LAUGHING DOVE (Streptopelia senegalensis) – Very common and widespread.
EMERALD-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur chalcospilos) – Ten at Mkuze, and about a dozen at Kruger.
TAMBOURINE DOVE (Turtur tympanistria) – One at Oribi Gorge.
NAMAQUA DOVE (Oena capensis) – Small numbers in areas like Pofadder, Kruger, and Polokwane.
AFRICAN GREEN-PIGEON (Treron calvus) – Three at Oribi Gorge, 1 at St. Lucia, and about 10 at Kruger.
Musophagidae (Turacos)
KNYSNA TURACO (Tauraco corythaix) – Good looks at Bulwer Forest (10), and Magoebaskloof (5). [E]
PURPLE-CRESTED TURACO (Tauraco porphyreolophus) – Strangely difficult this year, but we eventually all got good looks near Polokwane.
GRAY GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides concolor) – Fairly common from Mkuze to Kruger and on through Polokwane.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
PIED CUCKOO (Clamator jacobinus) – Singles at St. Lucia and Mkuze.
What can you say but "Wow!": Greater Blue-eared Starling in Kruger National Park (Photo by Jesse Fagan)
RED-CHESTED CUCKOO (Cuculus solitarius) – After 5 or 6 'heards' we finally all got scope views at Polokwane.
BLACK CUCKOO (Cuculus clamosus) – Heard at Oribi Gorge, and seen by a few of the group at Polokwane.
KLAAS'S CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx klaas) – Singles at Mkuze and Kruger.
AFRICAN EMERALD CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx cupreus) – Heard at Oribi Gorge and Magoebaskloof.
DIDERIC CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx caprius) – Four in the Mkuze area, and 6 at Polokwane.
YELLOWBILL (Ceuthmochares aereus) – Nice looks at this secretive bird in the forest at St. Lucia.
WHITE-BROWED COUCAL (BURCHELL'S) (Centropus superciliosus burchellii) – Singles at 5 or 6 different widespread sites.
Strigidae (Owls)
AFRICAN SCOPS-OWL (Otus senegalensis) – One at Kruger for some of the group.
VERREAUX'S EAGLE-OWL (Bubo lacteus) – Two at Kruger.
PEARL-SPOTTED OWLET (Glaucidium perlatum) – Nice looks at Kruger and Polokwane.
AFRICAN WOOD-OWL (Strix woodfordii) – Great looks behind our hotel at Magoebaskloof.
Apodidae (Swifts)
ALPINE SWIFT (Apus melba) – About 8 at Goegap, and 4 at Howick Falls.
COMMON SWIFT (Apus apus) – Small numbers at St. Lucia and Wakkerstroom.
AFRICAN SWIFT (Apus barbatus) – About 25 at Howick Falls.
BRADFIELD'S SWIFT (Apus bradfieldi) – Eight over our hotel garden at Pofadder. [E]
LITTLE SWIFT (Apus affinis) – Very common and widespread.
HORUS SWIFT (Apus horus) – One near Keimoes, and at least 2 near Underberg.
WHITE-RUMPED SWIFT (Apus caffer) – Common and widespread.
AFRICAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus parvus) – Widespread in dry country with palms.
Coliidae (Mousebirds)
SPECKLED MOUSEBIRD (Colius striatus) – Common and widespread.
WHITE-BACKED MOUSEBIRD (Colius colius) – Replaces the previous species in the Upington to Cape region. [E]
RED-FACED MOUSEBIRD (Urocolius indicus) – Ten near Mkuze, and then small flocks totalling about 30 between Kruger and Polokwane.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
Such a good name for this bird: Sentinel Rock-Thrush at Sani Pass (Photo by Jesse Fagan)
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
MALACHITE KINGFISHER (Corythornis cristatus) – One at Kruger.
AFRICAN PYGMY-KINGFISHER (Ispidina picta) – Singles ta Mkuze and Kruger.
BROWN-HOODED KINGFISHER (Halcyon albiventris) – Small numbers at St. Lucia, Kruger and Polokwane.
STRIPED KINGFISHER (Halcyon chelicuti) – Two at Mkuze.
GIANT KINGFISHER (Megaceryle maximus) – Two along the Olifants River at Kruger.
PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis) – Widespread in small numbers.
Meropidae (Bee-eaters)
WHITE-FRONTED BEE-EATER (Merops bullockoides) – About 20 at Kruger.
LITTLE BEE-EATER (Merops pusillus) – Small numbers at Mkuze, Kruger, and Polokwane.
EUROPEAN BEE-EATER (Merops apiaster) – Fairly common and widespread.
Coraciidae (Rollers)
LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER (Coracias caudatus) – We had several sightings of this beautiful roller at Kruger.
RUFOUS-CROWNED ROLLER (Coracias naevius) – Three at Kruger.
Upupidae (Hoopoes)
EURASIAN HOOPOE (AFRICAN) (Upupa epops africana) – Widespread in small numbers.
Phoeniculidae (Woodhoopoes and Scimitar-bills)
Female Pink-throated Twinspot at Mkuze (Photo by Jesse Fagan)
COMMON SCIMITAR-BILL (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas) – Four at Mkuze, and 4 at Kruger.
Bucerotidae (Hornbills)
SOUTHERN RED-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus rufirostris) – Common at Kruger.
SOUTHERN YELLOW-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus leucomelas) – Small numbers at Mkuze, Kruger, and Polokwane; in all we saw about 30. [E]
CROWNED HORNBILL (Tockus alboterminatus) – About 20 between Oribi Gorge, St. Lucia and Mkuze.
AFRICAN GRAY HORNBILL (Tockus nasutus) – About 25 at Kruger.
TRUMPETER HORNBILL (Ceratogymna bucinator) – Widespread between Oribi Gorge (were we had great looks in the garden) and Kruger.
Bucorvidae (Ground-Hornbills)
SOUTHERN GROUND-HORNBILL (Bucorvus leadbeateri) – We saw 2 of these spectacular birds at Kruger.
Lybiidae (African Barbets)
CRESTED BARBET (Trachyphonus vaillantii) – Small numbers at Oribi Gorge and Kruger.
WHITE-EARED BARBET (Stactolaema leucotis) – About 10 at St. Lucia.
YELLOW-RUMPED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus bilineatus) – Singles at Oribi Gorge and St. Lucia.
RED-FRONTED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus pusillus) – One at Mkuze.
YELLOW-FRONTED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus chrysoconus) – Heard near Tzaneen.
PIED BARBET (Tricholaema leucomelas) – Four in the Upington to Lambert's Bay area, and 2 at Polokwane.
BLACK-COLLARED BARBET (Lybius torquatus) – Great looks at several widespread locations.
Indicatoridae (Honeyguides)
WAHLBERG'S HONEYGUIDE (Prodotiscus regulus) – One at Sani Pass.
LESSER HONEYGUIDE (Indicator minor) – One in the grounds of our hotel at Oribi Gorge.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
RUFOUS-NECKED WRYNECK (Jynx ruficollis) – Great looks at a bird along the way to Sani Pass.
GOLDEN-TAILED WOODPECKER (Campethera abingoni) – Widespread in small numbers.
KNYSNA WOODPECKER (Campethera notata) – Can be very difficult, but we were lucky this year and had a bird in the scope for a long time at Oribi Gorge. [E]
GROUND WOODPECKER (Geocolaptes olivaceus) – One of the trip favorites; we saw about 8 at Sani Pass. [E]
CARDINAL WOODPECKER (Dendropicos fuscescens) – A total of about 6 at Mkuze and Kruger.
BEARDED WOODPECKER (Dendropicos namaquus) – One at Oribi Gorge.
OLIVE WOODPECKER (Dendropicos griseocephalus) – Four at Magoebaskloof.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
PYGMY FALCON (Polihierax semitorquatus) – Three in the Pofadder area.
EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus) – The form 'rupicolus' often split as Rock Kestrel was fairly common between Upington and Lambert's Bay, and then again near Underberg.
GREATER KESTREL (Falco rupicoloides) – About 20 along the road from Pofadder to Springbok.
Southern Red-billed Hornbill in Kruger National Park (Photo by Jesse Fagan)
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) – One at Howick Falls.
TAITA FALCON (Falco fasciinucha) – Thank to a local guide we all saw this rare species on the cliffs near Abel Erasmus Pass.
Psittacidae (Parrots)
BROWN-NECKED PARROT (Poicephalus robustus) – More commonly know as Cape Parrot, we saw about 6 of these globally threatened birds in the forest at Bulwer.
BROWN-HEADED PARROT (Poicephalus cryptoxanthus) – About a dozen at Kruger.
Calyptomenidae (African and Green Broadbills)
AFRICAN BROADBILL (Smithornis capensis) – Heard at Mkuze.
Platysteiridae (Wattle-eyes and Batises)
CAPE BATIS (Batis capensis) – We saw pairs of these beautiful batises at Betty's Bay, Oribi Gorge, and Magoebaskloof. [E]
WOODWARD'S BATIS (Batis fratrum) – Great looks at this very localised endemic in the forest at St. Lucia.
CHINSPOT BATIS (Batis molitor) – Fairly common in the east and northern part of the tour; we saw a total of about 24.
Vangidae (Vangas, Helmetshrikes, and Allies)
WHITE HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops plumatus) – Eight at Mkuze.
RETZ'S HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops retzii) – Two at Mkuze.
Malaconotidae (Bushshrikes and Allies)
BRUBRU (Nilaus afer) – Small numbers at Mkuze, Kruger and Polokwane.
BLACK-BACKED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus cubla) – Widespread throughout most of the tour.
BLACK-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra senegalus) – One at Mkuze.
BROWN-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra australis) – Two at Mkuze, and 1 at Polokwane.
SOUTHERN BOUBOU (Laniarius ferrugineus) – Widespread in the more wooded and forested areas throughout the tour. [E]
CRIMSON-BREASTED GONOLEK (Laniarius atrococcineus) – We saw this striking bushshrike in the acacia bush country at Polokwane. [E]
BOKMAKIERIE (Telophorus zeylonus) – Most common in the Cape region but a few others were also seen at Underberg and Wakkerstroom. [E]
SULPHUR-BREASTED BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus sulfureopectus) – Good looks at these gorgeous birds at St. Lucia and Kruger.
OLIVE BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus olivaceus) – Often very shy, but we had great looks this tour at a bird at Oribi Gorge.
BLACK-FRONTED BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus nigrifrons) – An adult and an immature at Magoebaskloof.
FOUR-COLORED BUSHSHRIKE (FOUR-COLORED) (Telophorus viridis quadricolor) – Just stunning! We saw an immature at St. Lucia, and then 2 adults at Mkuze.
GRAY-HEADED BUSHSHRIKE (Malaconotus blanchoti) – Yet another gorgeous bushshrike; we saw these at Oribi Gorge and Mkuze.
Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes)
GRAY CUCKOOSHRIKE (Coracina caesia) – Four in the forest near Magoebaskloof.
BLACK CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga flava) – Some of the group saw at least 1 (of 2) at either Mkuze, or Kruger.
Laniidae (Shrikes)
SOUTHERN FISCAL (Lanius collaris) – Common and widespread.
SOUTHERN FISCAL (FISCAL) (Lanius collaris subcoronatus) – This form 'subcoronatus' is sometime split as Latakoo Fiscal; we saw 1 near Pofadder. [E]
Crested Guineafowl at Mkuze (Photo by Jesse Fagan)
WHITE-CROWNED SHRIKE (Eurocephalus anguitimens) – About 10 at Kruger.
Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)
AFRICAN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus larvatus) – Two at Bulwer, and then singles at Kruger and Polokwane.
Dicruridae (Drongos)
SQUARE-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus ludwigii) – Small numbers at Oribi Gorge, St. Lucia, and Magoebaskloof.
FORK-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis) – Common and widespread in open bush country.
Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)
AFRICAN CRESTED-FLYCATCHER (Trochocercus cyanomelas) – One at Oribi Gorge, 2 at St. Lucia, and 2 at Magoebaskloof, but always shy and difficult to see well.
AFRICAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone viridis) – Widespread in small numbers.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
CAPE CROW (Corvus capensis) – We saw a total of about 40 in a variety of widespread and varied habitats.
PIED CROW (Corvus albus) – Very common and widespread.
WHITE-NECKED RAVEN (Corvus albicollis) – One at Goegap (for a few people) but then nicely for all in the Cape and the Sani Pass area.
Chaetopidae (Rockjumpers)
CAPE ROCKJUMPER (Chaetops frenatus) – Often difficult to find these days, but eventually we all saw a pair of these great birds at Rooiels. [E]
DRAKENSBERG ROCKJUMPER (Chaetops aurantius) – Great close looks on the Sani Pass. [E]
Nicatoridae (Nicators)
EASTERN NICATOR (Nicator gularis) – Singles at St. Lucia and Mkuze.
Alaudidae (Larks)
RUFOUS-NAPED LARK (Mirafra africana) – About 8 at Wakkerstroom, and a few others in grassland elsewhere.
CAPE CLAPPER LARK (Mirafra apiata) – One at Lambert's Bay. [E]
EASTERN CLAPPER LARK (Mirafra fasciolata) – Great looks at 2 in the high altitude grasslands north of Wakkerstroom. [E]
RUDD'S LARK (Heteromirafra ruddi) – Great looks at this extremely localised endemic near Wakkerstroom. [E]
SABOTA LARK (Calendulauda sabota) – Two at Kruger, and 4 at Polokwane.
FAWN-COLORED LARK (Calendulauda africanoides) – Two near Pofadder. [E]
RED LARK (Calendulauda burra) – Another extremely localised endemic lark; we saw a total of 5 on the red sand dunes. [E]
KAROO LARK (Calendulauda albescens) – One near Lambert's Bay, and 2 at West Coast NP. [E]
SPIKE-HEELED LARK (Chersomanes albofasciata) – Most common in the Pofadder and Wakkerstroom areas; where we saw a total of about 30. [E]
CAPE LARK (Certhilauda curvirostris) – Also known as Cape Long-billed Lark, we had nice scope views of 1 near Lambert's Bay. [E]
EASTERN LONG-BILLED LARK (Certhilauda semitorquata) – Four in the Wakkerstroom area. [E]
KAROO LONG-BILLED LARK (Certhilauda subcoronata) – Three near Pofadder. [E]
SHORT-CLAWED LARK (Certhilauda chuana) – Yet another incredibly localised endemic lark that we saw well; 3 of these were at Polokwane. [E]
CHESTNUT-BACKED SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix leucotis) – Four, for half of the group at Kruger.
GRAY-BACKED SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix verticalis) – Very common (400+) in the Pofadder area.
Bearded Scrub-Robin at Mkuze (Photo by Jesse Fagan)
STARK'S LARK (Spizocorys starki) – Two right next to our vehicles near Pofadder. [E]
PINK-BILLED LARK (Spizocorys conirostris) – Great scope views of 2 near Wakkerstroom. [E]
BOTHA'S LARK (Spizocorys fringillaris) – Often one of the hardest endemic larks to find, but we did well this tour seeing 2 near Wakkerstroom. [E]
LARGE-BILLED LARK (Galerida magnirostris) – Small numbers between Springbok and the Cape, and then 2 on the Sani Pass. [E]
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
PLAIN MARTIN (Riparia paludicola) – Small numbers at Franklin Marsh and Wakkerstroom.
BANDED MARTIN (Riparia cincta) – One near Lambert's Bay, and about 20 in the Wakkerstroom area.
ROCK MARTIN (Ptyonoprogne fuligula) – Widespread in small numbers.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) – Common and widespread from St. Lucia onwards.
WHITE-THROATED SWALLOW (Hirundo albigularis) – Widespread in small numbers, with a total of about 45.
WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii) – Six at Tzaneen, and a few others elsewhere.
PEARL-BREASTED SWALLOW (Hirundo dimidiata) – About 10 at Polokwane.
BLUE SWALLOW (Hirundo atrocaerulea) – We saw 4 of these near threatened birds near Weza.
GREATER STRIPED-SWALLOW (Cecropis cucullata) – Fairly widespread in small numbers.
LESSER STRIPED-SWALLOW (Cecropis abyssinica) – Widespread away from the west; in all we saw about 100.
RUFOUS-CHESTED SWALLOW (Cecropis semirufa) – Nice looks in Kruger, and a few other elsewhere.
SOUTH AFRICAN SWALLOW (Petrochelidon spilodera) – About 60 in the Wakkerstroom area.
COMMON HOUSE-MARTIN (Delichon urbicum) – About 50 around Magoebaskloof.
BLACK SAWWING (Psalidoprocne pristoptera) – One at Betty's Bay, and then 2 near Bulwer.
GRAY-RUMPED SWALLOW (Pseudhirundo griseopyga) – Some of the group saw 2 at Tzaneen.
Stenostiridae (Fairy Flycatchers)
FAIRY FLYCATCHER (Stenostira scita) – We saw singles of these lovely little birds at Goegap, Sani Pass, and near Wakkerstroom. [E]
Paridae (Chickadees and Tits)
SOUTHERN BLACK-TIT (Melaniparus niger) – Small numbers at Bulwer, Mkuze, and Kruger; in all we saw about 25.
ASHY TIT (Melaniparus cinerascens) – Nice looks at 3 at Polokwane. [E]
GRAY TIT (Melaniparus afer) – Also known as Southern Gray Tit, we saw singles at Pofadder and Sani Pass. [E]
Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)
Lammergeier gave us great low views overhead at Sani Pass. (Photo by Jesse Fagan)
SOUTHERN PENDULINE-TIT (Anthoscopus minutus) – More commonly known as Cape Penduline-Tit; we saw 5 lively birds at Polokwane. [E]
Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
SOMBRE GREENBUL (Andropadus importunus) – Fairly common and widespread away from arid areas.
YELLOW-BELLIED GREENBUL (Chlorocichla flaviventris) – About a dozen in the forest at St. Lucia.
TERRESTRIAL BROWNBUL (Phyllastrephus terrestris) – Small numbers at Bulwer, St. Lucia, and Mkuze.
YELLOW-STREAKED GREENBUL (Phyllastrephus flavostriatus) – Took a while, but we eventually all got good looks at Magoebaskloof.
COMMON BULBUL (DARK-CAPPED) (Pycnonotus barbatus tricolor) – Very common in the eastern and northern areas.
BLACK-FRONTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus nigricans) – Common from Upington to the Cape. [E]
CAPE BULBUL (Pycnonotus capensis) – Four near Lambert's Bay, and then about 20 in the Cape area. [E]
Macrosphenidae (African Warblers)
CAPE CROMBEC (Sylvietta rufescens) – Widespread in small numbers; we saw a total of about 14.
CAPE GRASSBIRD (Sphenoeacus afer) – Fabulous looks near Betty's Bay and at Sani Pass. [E]
VICTORIN'S WARBLER (Cryptillas victorini) – A real super skulker, but we all saw 1 well at Betty's Bay. [E]
Phylloscopidae (Leaf-Warblers)
YELLOW-THROATED WOOD-WARBLER (Phylloscopus ruficapilla) – Singles and pairs at Bulwer, Oribi Gorge, and Magoebaskloof.
WILLOW WARBLER (Phylloscopus trochilus) – Two singles at Kruger.
Acrocephalidae (Reed-Warblers and Allies)
AFRICAN YELLOW-WARBLER (Iduna natalensis) – More commonly known as Dark-capped Yellow-Warbler; we saw them at Sani Pass, Wakkerstroom, and Tzaneen.
AFRICAN REED-WARBLER (Acrocephalus baeticatus) – One at Wakkerstroom (for a few), and then at least 2 for everyone at Polokwane.
LESSER SWAMP-WARBLER (Acrocephalus gracilirostris) – Nice looks in the reed bed at Wakkerstroom.
Locustellidae (Grassbirds and Allies)
BARRATT'S WARBLER (Bradypterus barratti) – Another super skulker that we saw well (this one was even in the scope) at Sani Pass.
LITTLE RUSH-WARBLER (Bradypterus baboecala) – One at Cape Town sewage works.
Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
Female Cape Batis near Cape Town (Photo by Jesse Fagan)
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (Apalis flavida) – A total of about 10 at St. Lucia and Mkuze.
RUDD'S APALIS (Apalis ruddi) – We saw 6 of these rather localised endemic apalises at St. Lucia. [E]
GREEN-BACKED CAMAROPTERA (Camaroptera brachyura) – Fairly widespread at forest edge.
GREEN-BACKED CAMAROPTERA (GRAY-BACKED) (Camaroptera brachyura brevicaudata) – One seen and several heard at Polokwane.
MIOMBO WREN-WARBLER (Calamonastes undosus stierlingi) – This form is often split as Stierling's Wren-Warbler; we had good looks at 1 at Mkuze.
KOPJE WARBLER (Euryptila subcinnamomea) – Can be shy and very difficult to see, but we all had just amazing views at Goegap - fabulous! [E]
RUFOUS-EARED WARBLER (Malcorus pectoralis) – About 6 of these delightful birds in the low scrub around Pofadder. [E]
RED-FACED CISTICOLA (Cisticola erythrops) – One at Pongola.
RATTLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola chiniana) – Common in acacia country in the east and north.
RED-HEADED CISTICOLA (Cisticola subruficapilla) – More commonly known as Gray-backed Cisticola; they were common from Goegap to the Cape. [E]
WAILING CISTICOLA (Cisticola lais) – We saw a total of 4 between the Sani Pass and Weza.
WINDING CISTICOLA (RUFOUS-WINGED) (Cisticola galactotes galactotes) – Many African authorities now split 'Winding Cisticola' in to several species; if following that, then the nominate form which we saw at St. Lucia is known as Rufous-winged Cisticola.
TINKLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola tinniens) – This attractive waterside cisticola was seen at Franklin Marsh and near Wakkerstroom.
CROAKING CISTICOLA (Cisticola natalensis) – Nice looks at 1 at Oribi Gorge.
PIPING CISTICOLA (Cisticola fulvicapilla) – Also known as Neddicky; we had good looks near Polokwane.
WING-SNAPPING CISTICOLA (Cisticola ayresii) – One seen (and several heard) near Wakkerstroom.
TAWNY-FLANKED PRINIA (Prinia subflava) – Common and widespread away from the arid north-west.
BLACK-CHESTED PRINIA (Prinia flavicans) – Small numbers in the arid north-west.
KAROO PRINIA (Prinia maculosa) – Common from Upington to the Cape. [E]
DRAKENSBERG PRINIA (Prinia hypoxantha) – About 8 in the Underberg to Sani Pass area. [E]
YELLOW-BELLIED EREMOMELA (Eremomela icteropygialis) – One at Goegap.
YELLOW-RUMPED EREMOMELA (Eremomela gregalis) – This endemic is often difficult to locate, but again we managed to see them at our favorite site near Springbok. [E]
BURNT-NECK EREMOMELA (Eremomela usticollis) – Four at Polokwane.
Sylvidae (Sylvids)
LAYARD'S WARBLER (Sylvia layardi) – One at Goegap. [E]
RUFOUS-VENTED WARBLER (Sylvia subcaerulea) – One near Lambert's Bay, and then about 5 at Polokwane.
Zosteropidae (Yuhinas, White-eyes, and Allies)
CAPE WHITE-EYE (CAPE) (Zosterops pallidus capensis) – Widespread away from the north-west. [E]
CAPE WHITE-EYE (ORANGE RIVER) (Zosterops pallidus pallidus) – Most African authorities now split this as Orange River White-eye; we had good looks at 4 at Keimoes. [E]
Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes and Allies)
ARROW-MARKED BABBLER (Turdoides jardineii) – About a dozen at Kruger, and 20 at Polokwane.
Promeropidae (Sugarbirds)
Cape Grassbird at Betty's Bay (Photo by Jesse Fagan)
Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
PALE FLYCATCHER (Bradornis pallidus) – Two at Mkuze.
CHAT FLYCATCHER (Bradornis infuscatus) – A total of about 10 were seen along the roadsides in the Pofadder area. [E]
MARIQUA FLYCATCHER (Bradornis mariquensis) – Eight at Polokwane.
SOUTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis pammelaina) – Small numbers at a variety of widespread sites in the east.
FISCAL FLYCATCHER (Sigelus silens) – Singles at Keimoes and Pofadder. [E]
DUSKY-BROWN FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa adusta) – More commonly known as African Dusky Flycatcher; we saw 6 at Bulwer Forest.
ASHY FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa caerulescens) – One at Oribi Gorge.
GRAY TIT-FLYCATCHER (Myioparus plumbeus) – One at Mkuze.
KAROO SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas coryphaeus) – Common in the 'karoo' and other dry habitats in the far west. [E]
BROWN SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas signata) – Fabulous looks at 1 at Oribi Gorge, and brief looks for a few of the group at St. Lucia. [E]
BEARDED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas quadrivirgata) – About 6 at Mkuze.
KALAHARI SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas paena) – One at Polokwane. [E]
RED-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas leucophrys) – Four at Mkuze.
CAPE ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha caffra) – Fairly common and widespread; we saw a total of about 40.
WHITE-THROATED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha humeralis) – We saw this striking endemic at Mkuze and Kruger. [E]
WHITE-BROWED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha heuglini) – Two at Tzaneen.
RED-CAPPED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha natalensis) – At least 4 were seen in the forest at St. Lucia.
CHORISTER ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha dichroa) – Normally shy, but we saw them well at Bulwer and Magoebaskloof. [E]
WHITE-STARRED ROBIN (Pogonocichla stellata) – Heard at Bulwer, and then seen nicely at Magoebaskloof.
SENTINEL ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola explorator) – At least 6 were in the wild open country at the top of Sani Pass. [E]
CAPE ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola rupestris) – Singles at Rooiels, Howick, and Sani Pass. [E]
AFRICAN STONECHAT (Saxicola torquatus) – Common and widespread.
BUFF-STREAKED BUSHCHAT (Saxicola bifasciatus) – A male at Sani Pass was one of the trip highlights. [E]
SOUTHERN ANTEATER-CHAT (Myrmecocichla formicivora) – About 40 in the Pofadder area, and then 50+ around Wakkerstroom.
MOCKING CLIFF-CHAT (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris) – A male was in the garden of our lodge near Mkuze, and then we saw a pair Abel Erasmus Pass.
SICKLEWING CHAT (Cercomela sinuata) – About 10 at the top of Sani Pass. [E]
Lambert's Bay is a busy place: here are just a few of the estimated 5000 pairs of Cape Gannets there. (Photo by Jesse Fagan)
FAMILIAR CHAT (Cercomela familiaris) – Three at Goegap, and 2 at Betty's Bay.
MOUNTAIN WHEATEAR (Oenanthe monticola) – Four in the Pofadder to Springbok area. [E]
CAPPED WHEATEAR (Oenanthe pileata) – Ten around Springbok, and 1 at Lambert's Bay.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
ORANGE GROUND-THRUSH (Geokichla gurneyi) – Often shy and always difficult to see, so we all enjoyed great scope views of a singing bird in the Bulwer Forest.
GROUNDSCRAPER THRUSH (Psophocichla litsitsirupa) – Two or 3 were seen around Polokwane.
KURRICHANE THRUSH (Turdus libonyana) – Singles at Mkuze, Kruger, and Polokwane.
OLIVE THRUSH (Turdus olivaceus) – One at Betty's Bay, and about a dozen in the Underberg area.
KAROO THRUSH (Turdus smithi) – First seen at Johannesburg, and then near Polokwane. [E]
Sturnidae (Starlings)
COMMON MYNA (Acridotheres tristis) – Very common and widespread. [I]
EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) – Common from Lambert's Bay to the Cape. [I]
WATTLED STARLING (Creatophora cinerea) – One at Oribi Gorge and then at least a couple of small flocks at Kruger.
CAPE GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis nitens) – Common and widespread. [E]
GREATER BLUE-EARED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis chalybaeus) – Fairly common at Kruger.
BURCHELL'S GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis australis) – About 50 at Kruger.
BLACK-BELLIED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis corruscus) – Six at Oribi Gorge, and about 20 at Mkuze.
VIOLET-BACKED STARLING (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster) – We saw these stunning gorgeous birds at Mkuze, Kruger, and Polokwane.
AFRICAN PIED STARLING (Spreo bicolor) – Common from Lambert's Bay to the Cape, and around Wakkerstroom. [E]
Pale-winged Starling near Springbok (Photo by Jesse Fagan)
PALE-WINGED STARLING (Onychognathus nabouroup) – About 50 in the Pofadder to Springbok area. [E]
Buphagidae (Oxpeckers)
RED-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) – Six at Mkuze, and about 30 at Kruger.
YELLOW-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus africanus) – About 10 at Kruger.
Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)
COLLARED SUNBIRD (Hedydipna collaris) – Fairly common at forest edge in the east and north.
ORANGE-BREASTED SUNBIRD (Anthobaphes violacea) – We saw about a dozen of these striking Cape endemics - particularly at Betty's Bay. [E]
EASTERN OLIVE SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra olivacea) – Singles at Oribi Gorge and St. Lucia.
MOUSE-COLORED SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra veroxii) – Great looks (and comparisons with the previous species) at Oribi Gorge and Mkuze.
AMETHYST SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra amethystina) – Four at Oribi Gorge.
SCARLET-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra senegalensis) – Fairly widespread away from arid areas.
MALACHITE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia famosa) – Widespread, and just gorgeous as they feed on those yellow and orange aloes.
SOUTHERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris chalybeus) – Widespread in small numbers. [E]
NEERGAARD'S SUNBIRD (Cinnyris neergaardi) – Always difficult, but at least two of our group saw a male at Mkuze. [E]
GREATER DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris afer) – Small numbers at Sani Pass, Kruger, and Magoebaskloof. [E]
MARIQUA SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mariquensis) – Six at Kruger.
PURPLE-BANDED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris bifasciatus) – One at St. Lucia, and at least a dozen at Mkuze.
WHITE-BREASTED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris talatala) – About 20 at Mkuze, and 4 at Polokwane.
DUSKY SUNBIRD (Cinnyris fuscus) – Twenty in the Pofadder to Goegap area. [E]
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
CAPE WAGTAIL (Motacilla capensis) – Very common and widespread.
MOUNTAIN WAGTAIL (Motacilla clara) – Singles at Oribi Gorge and near Magoebaskloof.
AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla aguimp) – Small numbers at St. Lucia, Kruger, and Polokwane.
AFRICAN PIPIT (Anthus cinnamomeus) – Small numbers were in a variety of widespread grasslands.
MOUNTAIN PIPIT (Anthus hoeschi) – One in the montane grasslands at the top of Sani Pass. [E]
STRIPED PIPIT (Anthus lineiventris) – One at Abel Erasmus Pass.
YELLOW-TUFTED PIPIT (Anthus crenatus) – Heard at Sani Pass. [E]
White Rhinoceros during our drive to Kruger National Park (Photo by Jesse Fagan)
ORANGE-THROATED LONGCLAW (Macronyx capensis) – Two near Bulwer, and about 30 in the Wakkerstroom area. [E]
YELLOW-THROATED LONGCLAW (Macronyx croceus) – Singles at Bayala and Kruger.
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
LARK-LIKE BUNTING (Emberiza impetuani) – Thousands in the Pofadder area (although this wandering migrant is sometimes uncommon here). [E]
CAPE BUNTING (Emberiza capensis) – Widespread in rocky country; in all we saw about 30. [E]
GOLDEN-BREASTED BUNTING (Emberiza flaviventris) – One at Bayala.
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
CAPE SISKIN (Pseudochloroptila totta) – Four near Betty's Bay. [E]
DRAKENSBERG SISKIN (Pseudochloroptila symonsi) – First seen by ust a few of the group, but then seen well by everyone on top of the Sani Pass. [E]
CAPE CANARY (Serinus canicollis) – Widespread in small numbers. [E]
YELLOW-FRONTED CANARY (Serinus mozambicus) – Fairly common away from the arid west.
FOREST CANARY (Serinus scotops) – Nice looks at 3 at the edge of the Bulwer Forest. [E]
BRIMSTONE CANARY (Serinus sulphuratus) – One near Betty's Bay.
YELLOW CANARY (Serinus flaviventris) – Two in the Pofadder area. [E]
WHITE-THROATED CANARY (Serinus albogularis) – Three at West Coast NP. [E]
PROTEA CANARY (Serinus leucopterus) – Two at our usual site near Clanwilliam. [E]
STREAKY-HEADED SEEDEATER (Serinus gularis) – Two at the bottom of Sani Pass, and 2 at Tzaneen.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) – Common and widespread.
GREAT RUFOUS SPARROW (Passer motitensis) – Two single males at Polokwane.
CAPE SPARROW (Passer melanurus) – Common and widespread. [E]
SOUTHERN GRAY-HEADED SPARROW (Passer diffusus) – Widespread in small numbers.
YELLOW-THROATED PETRONIA (Petronia superciliaris) – Nice looks at 1 at Tzaneen.
Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies)
RED-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis niger) – Several small flocks at Kruger.
SCALY WEAVER (Sporopipes squamifrons) – More commonly known as Scaly-feathered Finch; we saw about 20 in the Pofadder area.
WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser mahali) – Common at Polokwane.
SOCIAL WEAVER (Philetairus socius) – Several hundred (mostly near their huge nests) in the Pofadder area.
RED-HEADED WEAVER (Anaplectes rubriceps) – Two males and a female at Kruger.
SPECTACLED WEAVER (Ploceus ocularis) – About 14 between Oribi Gorge and St. Lucia, and then 2 at Magoebaskloof.
CAPE WEAVER (Ploceus capensis) – Common from Lambert's Bay to Wakkerstroom. [E]
AFRICAN GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus subaureus) – About 50 in the St. Lucia to Mkuze area.
HOLUB'S GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus xanthops) – Two at Tzaneen.
SOUTHERN BROWN-THROATED WEAVER (Ploceus xanthopterus) – Great looks at several displaying birds in the reeds near St. Lucia. [E]
LESSER MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus intermedius) – Three at Bayala, and about a dozen at 'The Ranch'.
SOUTHERN MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus velatus) – Common and widespread.
VILLAGE WEAVER (Ploceus cucullatus) – Common and widespread away from the west.
FOREST WEAVER (Ploceus bicolor) – Small numbers in the forest at St. Lucia and Mkuze.
RED-BILLED QUELEA (Quelea quelea) – Flocks of several hundred were seen at Polokwane, and a few others elsewhere.
RED BISHOP (Euplectes orix) – A few near the west coast, and then about 20 (including some in breeding plumage) near Wakkerstroom.
YELLOW BISHOP (Euplectes capensis) – Small numbers near Lambert's Bay, Betty's Bay, and Magoebaskloof.
WHITE-WINGED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes albonotatus) – About 10 (in non-breeding plumage) at Polokwane.
RED-COLLARED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes ardens) – Twenty at Oribi Gorge, and 10 around Wakkerstroom.
FAN-TAILED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes axillaris) – Small numbers at Oribi Gorge and Wakkerstroom.
LONG-TAILED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes progne) – We saw a total of about 40 (including several wonderfully long-tailed males) at both Franklin Marsh and Wakkerstroom.
GROSBEAK WEAVER (Amblyospiza albifrons) – Four at Bulwer, and 2 at Tzaneen.
Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)
SWEE WAXBILL (Coccopygia melanotis) – Great looks at a male at the bottom of Sani Pass. [E]
BLACK-TAILED WAXBILL (Estrilda perreini) – Also known as Gray Waxbill, we saw 6 of these uncommon waxbills at Mkuze.
COMMON WAXBILL (Estrilda astrild) – Widespread in small numbers.
BLACK-CHEEKED WAXBILL (Estrilda erythronotos) – More commonly known as Black-faced Waxbill; we saw about 12 at Polokwane.
BLUE-BREASTED CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus angolensis) – Small numbers at Mkuze, Kruger, and Polokwane.
VIOLET-EARED WAXBILL (Granatina granatina) – We saw 4 of these gorgeous waxbills at Polokwane.
PINK-THROATED TWINSPOT (Hypargos margaritatus) – Another gorgeous waxbill; we saw about a dozen at Mkuze. [E]
GREEN-WINGED PYTILIA (Pytilia melba) – Great looks at a male near Polokwane.
RED-BILLED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta senegala) – Fairly common at Kruger.
AFRICAN FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta rubricata) – Three at the edge of the forest at Bulwer.
RED-HEADED FINCH (Amadina erythrocephala) – Four near Pofadder, and 3 at Polokwane.
AFRICAN QUAILFINCH (Ortygospiza fuscocrissa digressa) – More commonly known as 'O. atricollis' we had scope views of about 3 or 4 on the short grass plains near Wakkerstroom.
BRONZE MANNIKIN (Spermestes cucullatus) – Fairly widespread away from the arid west.
MAGPIE MANNIKIN (Spermestes fringilloides) – Good scope views of about 15 of these localised waxbills at Tzaneen.
Viduidae (Indigobirds)
PIN-TAILED WHYDAH (Vidua macroura) – We saw a total of about 20 (including several males in breeding plumage) throughout the tour.
EASTERN PARADISE-WHYDAH (Vidua paradisaea) – We saw a non-breeding bird at Mkuze.
SHAFT-TAILED WHYDAH (Vidua regia) – Two in non-breeding plumage near Polokwane.
VARIABLE INDIGOBIRD (Vidua funerea) – Also known as Dusky Indigobird, we saw a female and a male in poor plumage at Tzaneen.
MAMMALS
WAHLBERG'S EPAULETTED FRUIT BAT (Epomophorus wahlbergi) – About 20 at a day roost in Kruger.
SYKES MONKEY (Cercopithecus albogularis) – Commonly called Samango Monkey in South Africa, we saw about 8 at Magoebaskloof.
BLACK-FACED VERVET MONKEY (Cercopithecus aethiops) – Common and widespread; in all we saw about 160.
CHACMA BABOON (Papio ursinus) – Common and widespread, with a total of about 80.
CAPE HARE (Lepus capensis) – Some of the group saw 1 near Pofadder.
CAPE GROUND SQUIRREL (Xerus inaurius) – Small numbers in the Pofadder area.
RED BUSH SQUIRREL (Paraxerus palliatus) – One in the forest at St. Lucia.
TREE SQUIRREL (Paraxerus cepapi) – Common at Kruger.
SLOGGETT'S ICE RAT (Otomys sloggetti) – We saw 3 or 4 of these attractive little rodents on top of the Sani Pass.
HUMPBACK WHALE (Megaptera novaeangliae) – Nice close looks at 1 on our pelagic out of Simonstown.
SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALE (Eubalaena australis) – One near Cape Point.
BLACK-BACKED JACKAL (Canis mesomelas) – Five at Kruger.
LARGE-SPOTTED GENET (Genetta tigrina) – One of our group saw 1 at Kruger.
EGYPTIAN MONGOOSE (Herpestes ichneumon) – One in the kloof near Clanwilliam.
SLENDER MONGOOSE (Herpestes sanguineus) – Singles at Kruger and Polokwane.
BANDED MONGOOSE (Mungos mungo) – About 40 at St. Lucia.
DWARF MONGOOSE (Helogale parvula) – Two at Kruger.
YELLOW MONGOOSE (Cynictis penicillata) – Two near Pofadder, and about 12 in the Wakkerstroom area.
SLENDER-TAILED MEERKAT (Suricata suricatta) – We did well with these this tour, seeing 5 and 3 near Pofadder, and then 8 near Wakkerstroom.
SPOTTED HYAENA (Crocuta crocuta) – One at night, and then 4 by the road side during one of our drives at Kruger.
AFRICAN WILD CAT (Felis silvestris) – Two during our after dinner walk at Kruger.
LION (Panthera leo) – A total of 13 at Kruger included a big male and several variously aged groups; several were seen right next to our vehicles.
CHEETAH (Acinonyx jubatus) – Some of the group saw 3 distantly walking away at Kruger.
CAPE (AUSTRALIAN) FUR SEAL (Arctocephalus pusillus) – At least 250 at Lambert's Bay, and a few around Cape Point.
AFRICAN ELEPHANT (Loxodonta africana) – Several nice encounters at Kruger; in all we saw about 45.
ROCK HYRAX (Procavia capensis) – Small numbers at Springbok, Stony Point, and then at Sani Pass.
MOUNTAIN ZEBRA (Equus zebra) – Four (distantly) at Goegap.
BURCHELL'S ZEBRA (Equus burchelli) – Very common in reserves with open country, like Mkuze, Wakkerstroom and Kruger.
WHITE RHINOCEROS (Ceratotherium simum) – Two at Mkuze, and no less than 9 at Kruger, great!
WARTHOG (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) – Small numbers at Mkuze, Kruger, and Polokwane.
HIPPOPOTAMUS (Hippopotamus amphibius) – Six at St. Lucia, about 30 at Mkuze, and 45 at Kruger.
COMMON GIRAFFE (Giraffa camelopardalis) – Many good close sightings at Mkuze, Kruger, and Polokwane.
NYALA (Tragelaphus angasi) – About 30 at Mkuze, and 20 at Kruger.
BUSHBUCK (Tragelaphus scriptus) – Singles at St. Lucia and Mkuze.
GREATER KUDU (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) – Two at Mkuze, and about 50 at Kruger.
COMMON ELAND (Taurotragus oryx) – Small herds at West Coast NP, Sani Pass, and Wakkerstroom.
AFRICAN BUFFALO (Syncerus caffer) – Most common near Wakkerstroom and Kruger; in all we saw about 400.
RED DUIKER (Cephalophus natalensis) – Six in the forest at St. Lucia.
BUSH (GRAY) DUIKER (Sylvicapra grimmia) – Singles at West Coast NP, and at Mkuze.
COMMON WATERBUCK (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) – Fairly common at Kruger and Polokwane.
MOUNTAIN REEDBUCK (Redunca fulvorufula) – Two near Wakkerstroom.
SABLE ANTELOPE (Hippotragus niger) – We saw about 30 of these beautiful antelopes at Polokwane.
GEMSBOK (Oryx gazella) – About 40 at Goegap, and 2 near Lambert's Bay.
BONTEBOK (Damaliscus dorcas) – The form commonly known as Blesbok was common at the reserve near Wakkerstroom.
TOPI (Damaliscus lunatus) – Four near Wakkerstroom, and about 20 at Polokwane.
HARTEBEEST (KONGONI) (Alcelaphus buselaphus) – Thirty at the Wakkerstroom reserve.
BLACK WILDEBEEST (Connochaetes gnou) – At least 100 were at the reserve near Wakkerstroom.
BLUE WILDEBEEST (Connochaetes taurinus) – Fairly common at Mkuze, Kruger, and Polokwane.
KLIPSPRINGER (Oreotragus oreotragus) – Two in the kloof near Clanwilliam.
ORIBI (Ourebia ourebi) – One near Chrissiesmeer.
STEENBOK (Raphicerus campestris) – Small numbers around Pofadder, Lambert's Bay, and at Kruger.
IMPALA (Aepyceros malampus) – One of the more common antelopes, with good numbers at Mkuze, Kruger and Polokwane.
SPRINGBOK (Antidorcas marsupialis) – About 40 in the Pofadder area, and a few distantly in the reserve at Wakkerstroom.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Reptiles seen on the tour included;
Pan-hinged Terrapin; about 20 at Mkuze.
Angulate Tortoise; common at West Coast National Park.
Hinged Tortoise; 1 at Mkuze.
Leopard Tortoise; 3 at Mkuze.
Namib Agama; 4 in the Pofadder area.
Southern Tree Agama; 1 at Mkuze.
Crag Lizard; 2 at Oribi Gorge.
African Puffadder; 1 at West Coast National Park.
Cape Cobra; 1 at West Coast National Park.
Vine Snake; 1 at St. Lucia.
Nile Crocodile; 5 at St. Lucia.
Totals for the tour: 489 bird taxa and 53 mammal taxa