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Following the introductory post on my trip to Namibia’s Kaokoveld, below is a brief account of some birding at the popular Avis Dam. Avis is a great birding spot very close to the centre of Windhoek. It’s the sort of place you can visit if you’ve just got an hour or two to spare. Try and avoid weekends as the place is overrun with dog walkers, however both of my visits were on the weekend and it wasn’t too bad if you’re able to drown out the incessant yapping. There are two popular entrances to Avis, I opted for the entrance to the south of the dam on both occasions rather than the one close to the dam wall. There was a lot of activity around the wall (fisherman, dog walkers etc), which didn’t bode well for birding.

My target bird for Avis was Damara Rockrunner and as you can judge by the photo below it produced the goods. I’ve circled the exact spot where I snapped this pic, but I imagine they’re fairly widespread in the area. I actually ticked my first Rockrunner at the dam wall back in ’93 so try there as well.

The encircled Rockrunner spot on the map above is where I did most of my birding. There’s a path that winds its way up a small hill through some sparse acacia woodland, which had regular bird party activity. I found mimicking Pearl-spotted Owlet particularly effective at attracting birds. Below are a few common party participants:

Burt-necked Eremomela is a common bird at Avis Dam and was present in just about every bird party.

Brubru and Pririt Batis

Marico Flycatchers were always very quick respond to the “owlet”.

Sabota Lark and Crimson Boubou

Black-chested Prinia

Violet-eared Waxbill

and Black-cheeked Waxbill

Female Green-winged Pytilia

Short-toed Rock-Thrush

Yellow-bellied Eremomela

Listen for the “kelkiewyn” of Namaqua Sandgrouse as they fly over after a drink and watch for Palm Swift overhead.

Avis Dam is a good area for the near-endemic Bradfield’s Swift so check all swift flocks for them.

My next Namibia post will be on Hobatere Lodge, a fantastic reserve west of Etosha, where we spent two nights en route to the Kaokoveld.

David Winter

Recent reports on CapeBirdNet from Margaret Maciver et al prompted me to visit Philippi Wetlands on Sunday morning. I’ve visited the site before (see here for report and directions), but have never spent more than about 20 minutes in the area.

Looking at the above image it’s hard to believe that this area is a collection of dry fields in summer. It’s not apparent from the photo, but this pan is teeming with Greater Flamingo, Red-knobbed Coot, Little Grebe, Yellow-billed Duck, Red-billed Teal, Glossy and Hadeda Ibis and Little Egret at the moment.

A star attraction for Western Cape birders is the presence of White-faced and Fulvous Ducks, both uncommon species in this area. I counted at least 15 White-faced Duck, and a handful of Fulvous.

Spring is certainly in the air. These two Cape Canaries had a real stand-off as each one tried to out-perform the other. Each would shuffle up and down the line as it burst into song.

Cape Longclaw is always a treat. I watched this individual for at least 20 minutes as it picked its way through the grass toward my car. I’ve never appreciated quite how hard they work bobbing in and out of the thick grass and undergrowth looking for their next meal.

I was lucky to snap this African Pipit between one of its many display loops over the dry pan edges.

Not one of my best photos, but a record shot of Yellow-billed Egret. I haven’t seen this species around Cape Town for a few years, does anyone know of other reliable spots for them close to Cape Town?

Philippi Wetland Bird list: Sacred Ibis, Hartlaub’s Gull, Kelp Gull, Red-knobbed Coot, Red-billed Teal, Cape Shovellor, Grey Heron, Brown-throated Martin, White-throated Swallow, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Cape Wagtail, Cape Canary, Greater Flamingo, Hadeda Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Yellow-billed Duck, Fulvous Duck, Egyptian Goose, Little Grebe, Cape Teal, Levaillant’s Cisticola, Speckled Pigeon, Common Moorhen, Reed Cormorant, Common Starling, White-faced Duck, Three-banded Plover, Lesser Swamp Warbler, African Pipit, Yellow-billed Egret, Pin-tailed Whydah, Cape Longclaw, Cape Sparrow, Pied Crow, Rock Kestrel, Barn Swallow.

David Winter

This post summarises a two week trip to the north-western regions of Namibia I completed in September last year. My travel companions thought they were going on a gentle 4×4 exploration of the Kaokoveld. Five thousand bird and mammal photos later I think they concluded that in fact it was a birding trip For those not familiar with the Kaokoveld, it’s the region in the north-western corner of Namibia.

The Kaokoveld is a rather unique place in that it’s one of Southern Africa’s last true wilderness areas. Venturing from your car is encouraged, but in many areas there’s a very real chance you could encounter desert elephant, lion or even black rhino! I’ve summarised our itinerary in the map below.

The map above is a little crude -here’s a more detailed breakdown of our actual route and stop-overs.

21-Sep-09 – Hobatere Lodge
22-Sep-09 – Hobatere Lodge
23-Sep-09 – Epupa Falls – Kunene River
24-Sep-09 – Van Zyls Pass campsite
25-Sep-09 – Marienfluss – camping
26-Sep-09 – Marienfluss – camping
27-Sep-09 – Camp Syncro
28-Sep-09 – Hartmann’s Valley
29-Sep-09 – Purros – Okahirongo Elephant Lodge
30-Sep-09 – Purros – Okahirongo Elephant Lodge
01-Oct-09 – Grootberg Lodge
02-Oct-09 – return to Windhoek

For anyone interested in visiting this exceptional area I highly recommend you contact Udo Kannegiesser for assistance. Udo has been visiting the Kaokoveld for the last 30 years and whether you want a guided trip or a self-drive option he’ll ensure you get to experience the best of what the area has to offer. The best way to contact Udo is via his website.

I’ll post various photos and notes from this trip over the next few weeks.

David Winter

Guilty of often missing the great spring birding in August each year, I decided to drive the Darling Hills road a few Sundays ago to see if there was any early activity. For those not familiar with the area, the Darling Hills road is a gravel road that runs from the R27 through the wheatlands south of Darling, joining up with the Old Darling road (R307) south-east of the town.

I jumped the gun a bit in terms of my timing. The birding was good and birds were vocal, but it was nothing like a sunny spring day when just about every field has either a Zitting or Cloud Cisticola competing for air space with a displaying African Pipit or Red-capped Lark.

Red-capped Lark

My first stop (at 1 on the map) turned up a pair of Grey-winged Francolin and a vocal, but distant male Southern Black Korhaan. Common Fiscal, Cape Sparrow, Speckled Mousebird, Karoo Scrub-robin, Grey-backed Cisticola and Bokmakierie can be found here as well and this occasion was no different.

Capped Wheatear

Point 2 on the map is a small farm dam where you can find South African Shelduck and Blacksmith Plover around the water’s edge and Capped Wheatear, Red-capped Lark and Pied or Wattled Starling in the surrounding fields. In spring and summer this is also a good spot to check the phone lines for Hirundines as Barn and Greater Striped Swallow, Brown-throated and Banded Martin and occasionally Pearl-breasted Swallow can be seen. A little further along, in the vicinity of the farm buildings, an African Hoopoe was rather uncooperative as it gave me the run-around. Next time…

In a bit of a rush I skipped out the last section, but for those with more time points 3 and 4 are good areas for Karoo and Cape Clapper Lark respectively. Karoo Lark is probably more easily seen in the West Coast National Park, but any stretch of decent-sized strandveld in this area should turn up a Cape Clapper, given that you’re early enough to hear them clapping, of course.

Enjoy and please check with the farmer before venturing onto any land, all of it is private.

Bird List:

Milnerton Lagoon area: Pied Crow, Hartlaub’s Gull, Yellow-billed Duck, Egyptian Goose, Cape Longclaw, Blacksmith Plover, Grey Heron, Hadeda Ibis, Cape Wagtail, Red-knobbed Coot, Little Grebe, Great-crested Grebe, Cape Weaver, Cape Shovellor, Helmeted Guineafowl, Mallard, Cape Francolin, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Common Starling, Kelp Gull, Levaillant’s Cisticola, Lesser Swamp Warbler, Cape Sparrow, Common Moorhen, White-backed Duck, Black Crake, Red-eyed Dove, African Goshawk.

Darling Hills Road: Karoo Prinia, Speckled Mousebird, Southern Black Korhaan, Grey-backed Cisticola, Common Fiscal, Bokmakierie, Black-shouldered Kite, Karoo Scrub-robin, White-backed Mousebird, Pied Starling, African Pipit, South African Shelduck, Red-capped Lark, Crowned Plover, Wattled Starling, African Hoopoe, Southern Double-collared Sunbird, Cape Canary, Cape Turtle Dove, Fiscal Flycatcher, Brimstone Canary, Common Waxbill, Cape Batis, Cape Robin-chat, Malachite Sunbird, Common Titbabbler, Cattle Egret, Cloud Cisticola, Rock Martin, Yellow Bishop, African Stonechat, Cape Bulbul, Cape Clapper Lark, Jackal Buzzard, Rock Kestrel.

David Winter

An early morning mountain run in Fernkloof Nature Reserve, Hermanus produced some interesting sightings on Saturday.

The first was a vocal Blue-mantled Crested-flycatcher close to the information centre. I thought this species was on the reserve list, but it’s not detailed on the Hermanus Bird Club website. Second was at least two singing Long-billed Pipits on the contour path below Rotary Drive. One was in the proximity of the cement reservoir (above the golf course) and the second was closer to town above the school. Finally, a calling Cape Rockjumper at the summit of Rotary Drive was a nice surprise.

Bird list for Fernkloof Nature Reserve, Hermanus:

Cape White-eye, Southern Double-collared Sunbird, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Cape Grassbird, Cape Sugarbird, Blue-mantled Crested-flycatcher, Victorin’s Warbler, White-necked Raven, Cape Robin-chat, Cape Siskin, Brimstone Canary, Cape Rockjumper, Rock Martin, Grey-backed Cisticola, Long-billed Pipit, Red-winged Starling, Speckled Pigeon.

David Winter.

I received the following identification request from Geoff and Colleen Mullen, can anyone perhaps assist? They’ve also included a stork image, which I’m comfortable is an immature Saddle-billed.

We have 3 different reference books here but cannot be sure of the exact ID of some birds.

Location: we are presently living in Tanzania, photos taken along the Katuma river – either at the river or on the Katisunga plains. The National Park is called KATAVI NATIONAL PARK and is slightly South West of Tanzania.

I have blown up the photos – so could be out of focus and tried to enhance to get the colours to stand out.

First is a Starling….. First book (Birds of Africa – Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan) says MIOMBA BLUE EARED – as it has a distinct magenta breast – but the other books BIRDS OF EAST AFRICA (Terry Stevenson & John Fanshaw) does not have a Miombo but does have a SOUTHERN BLUE-EARED which is restricted to Miombo woodland, but under GREATER BLUE-EARED has that bird with Magenta breast and flank.

2nd one is a stork – immature for the above mentioned books and from some photos on the web, we feel that the birds are Imm Saddle-billed storks – but some people feel it could be the woolly-necked storks.

Please can you assist in positively identifying these birds – it would be much appreciated.

Thanks Geoff and Colleen for your submission.

David Winter

Margaret Maciver photographed a leucistic White-fronted Plover at Cape Point back in 2008. Here’s her photo and note.

I found this leucistic White-fronted Plover at Olifanstbos near the Thomas Tucker wreck in September 2008. It was a very pretty bird, and seemed to be accepted by the other Whitefronted Plovers running around on the beach!

Thanks Margaret.

David Winter

Gerrie Horn submitted these photos (originally via ECBirdNet) of a leucistic starling from the Eastern Cape. Any thoughts on what species it is?

Thanks Ken & Gertie.

David Winter

I posted a note about a leucistic Speckled Mousebird at Grootvadersbosch a while back – you can read about it here. Tjaart Muller thinks he may have seen an albino or leucistic Cape Bulbul at Struisbaai. Tjaart posted the following photos and note on CapeBirdNet today:

I am new to the group and took these pictures in Struisbaai recently. Is it perhaps an albino, any info will be appreciated.

Wikipedia has this to say about leucism:

Leucism (occasionally spelled leukism) is a general term for the phenotype resulting from defects in pigment cell differentiation and/or migration from the neural crest to skin, hair or feathers during development. This results in either the entire surface (if all pigment cells fail to develop) or patches of body surface (if only a subset are defective) having a lack of cells capable of making pigment.

Since all pigment cell-types differentiate from the same multipotent precursor cell-type, leucism can cause the reduction in all types of pigment. This is in contrast to albinism, for which leucism is often mistaken. Albinism results in the reduction of melanin production only, though the melanocyte (or melanophore) is still present. Thus in species that have other pigment cell-types, for example xanthophores, albinos are not entirely white, but instead display a pale yellow colour.

More common than a complete absence of pigment cells is localized or incomplete hypopigmentation, resulting in irregular patches of white on an animal that otherwise has normal colouring and patterning. This partial leucism is known as a “pied” or “piebald” effect; and the ratio of white to normal-coloured skin can vary considerably not only between generations, but between different offspring from the same parents, and even between members of the same litter. This is notable in horses, cows, cats, dogs, the urban crow and the ball python but is also found in many other species.

A further difference between albinism and leucism is in eye colour. Due to the lack of melanin production in both the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) and iris, albinos typically have red eyes due to the underlying blood vessels showing through. In contrast, leucistic animals have normally coloured eyes. This is because the melanocytes of the RPE are not derived from the neural crest, instead an outpouching of the neural tube generates the optic cup which, in turn, forms the retina. As these cells are from an independent developmental origin, they are typically unaffected by the genetic cause of leucism.

Thanks Tjaart for the interesting photos and note.

David Winter

The miserable weather meant I had Strandfontein to myself on Saturday. The light was very poor, but I did manage to snap a few shots and notch up a list just short of 60 species (detailed below); not a bad tally for the middle of winter. Three African Marsh Harriers were actively calling around P4 and this well-worn individual was confiding.

A nice surprise was this Klaas’s Cuckoo, a species that is regularly recorded in the Western Cape in winter, but is difficult to find when not vocal.

There were not a lot of waterfowl in the larger pans, but the smaller, sheltered ponds held good numbers of Red-billed Teal, Cape Teal and the odd Yellow-billed Duck.

The Spotted Eagle Owls were in their usual spot and tried hard to blend into their surroundings as I snapped this shot of them.

Little Grebe can be surprisingly difficult to photograph as they duck and dive away from you, but this individual was well behaved.

Strandfontein bird list: Indian House Crow, Common Starling, Cattle Egret, Hartlaub’s Gull, Kelp Gull, Greater Flamingo, Pied Crow, White-necked Raven, Sacred Ibis, Yellow-billed Duck, Cape Shovellor, Blacksmith Plover, Pied Avocet, Black-headed Heron, Levaillant’s Cisticola, Karoo Prinia, Black-winged Stilt, White-breasted Cormorant, Swift Tern, Cape Teal, Southern Boubou, Red-eyed Dove, Red-billed Teal, Cape Canary, Little Egret, Helmeted Guineafowl, Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, African Fish Eagle, Brown-throated Martin, Lesser Swamp-Warbler, Little Rush-Warbler, Common Moorhen, Glossy Ibis, Cape Bulbul, African Marsh Harrier, Cape Robin-Chat, Common Waxbill, Purple Swamphen, Hadeda Ibis, Grey-backed Cisticola, Cape Francolin, Cape Grassbird, Southern Double-collared Sunbird, Cape White-eye, Klaas’s Cuckoo, Spur-winged Goose, Cape Wagtail, Reed Cormorant, Cape Weaver (breeding), Red-knobbed Coot, Spotted Eagle Owl, Cape Longclaw, Southern Pochard, Great White Pelican, Zitting Cisticola, Purple Heron.

David Winter