Some more time was spent raptor watching at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens this last Saturday. A decent number of raptors (for this area) were seen (8 individuals), but species were limited to Steppe Buzzard, Forest Buzzard and Black Sparrowhawk. Admittedly, I got there a little late. The optimal time is probably 8am because by 9am most buzzards are already cliff soaring and difficult to spot.
Here are a few images from the morning:
Not the best picture of a Forest Buzzard, but one can clearly see the distinctive features – pale underwing coverts that do not contrast with the remiges, pale chest and under belly – in flight Forest Buzzard also looks more compact than Steppe Buzzard with, in my opinion, faster wing beats.
Does anyone perhaps know what butterfly spp this is? I haven’t had a chance to look it up yet.
Not exactly a cliff-soaring raptor, but the Spotted Eagle Owls were displaying nicely in the Dell so I thought I’d include this pic.
Hi Dave, great website, thanks for letting us know!!
The butterfly looks like the Sooty Blue, Zizeeria knysna or Dubeltjiebloutjie.
Here are two other Sooty Blue, mating in the Birding Africa garden this February.
It flies all year round. Look out for it in gardens. Or look out for its larvae feeding on alfa-alfa/lucerne/Medicago sativa. Ants stay with them, possibly to protect or feed them.
Note how the butterfly in your picture rests head-end downwards, exposing its least-precious end to any predators flying by (from Claassens AJM 2000 Butterflies of the Cape Peninsula).
Thanks D – I must make more of an effort with butterflies…