Time to wrap up our short stay in the crater.
Driving the roads, we saw quite a few bird species, some of which were new to me at the time. As it was Winter, the best method would be to stop somewhere quiet and listen out for bird parties moving through the bush as they fed. This often worked, but other times you would simply come across a single bird perched on a roadside bush.
White-browed Scrub-robins were quite common here.
As were Kalahari Scrub-robins.
Chestnut-vented Tit-babblers were seen a few times, but were very camera shy.
Familiar Chats were seen almost everywhere we went.
Whilst Pied Crows cawed from the bushtops before flying noisily away.
Wattled Starlings fed at the roadside verges.
With Plain-backed Pipits also seen (or is it a Buffy? These things do my head in ).
We saw several small flocks of Red-faced Mousebirds.
Along with Cape Weavers.
Scaly-feathered Finches were common here.
With White-browed Sparrow-weavers seen in several places, usually in car parking areas?
Marico Flycatchers seemed to be very common in the park.
And Capped Wheatear were seen in the more open ground parts of the park.
(Lesser) Short-toed Rock-thrush was a sought after lifer for me.
and the Ubiquitous Red-winged Starling was always around human habitations.
We left the park satisfied with what we had seen and headed back to Pretoria. The strange thing I noted is that whenever we were outside of the park, Pale-chanting Goshawks were very common on roadside poles. Inside the park, we failed to see a single one?
Still, for a brief 48 hours, we had enjoyed ourselves immensley and hopefully I'll get the chace to return one day.
Two Days in the Crater.
Re: Two Days in the Crater.
Dewi
What is the good of having a nice house without a decent planet to put it on? (H D Thoreau)
What is the good of having a nice house without a decent planet to put it on? (H D Thoreau)
- Flutterby
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Re: Two Days in the Crater.
Love all the birdies!!! Thanks for sharing and hopefully we'll meet up there one day!!
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Re: Two Days in the Crater.
Only a "Mad Birder" would be interested in birds like that .............but I love them all
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The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
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Re: Two Days in the Crater.
wow a nice sample of birds... very nice... superb
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Re: Two Days in the Crater.
Hi Dewi,
Thanks for all the great pics of birds spotted in Pilanesberg . Must say I did not know you will find a crimson-breasted shrike so close to home. Thought I must drive to KTP to spot them. Next month is Womens day and I think we need to take a drive out even if is just for a day visit.
We've visited the park a few time,but it must have been nearly 6 year ago the last time we've been there.
Thanks for all the great pics of birds spotted in Pilanesberg . Must say I did not know you will find a crimson-breasted shrike so close to home. Thought I must drive to KTP to spot them. Next month is Womens day and I think we need to take a drive out even if is just for a day visit.
We've visited the park a few time,but it must have been nearly 6 year ago the last time we've been there.
Kgalagadi: Dec 2015
KNP Maroela, Shingwedzi & Pretoriuskop: March 2016
KNP Maroela, Shingwedzi & Pretoriuskop: March 2016
- Flutterby
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Re: Two Days in the Crater.
Dewi...regarding the lack of cheetahs, the consensus seems to be that there are too many lions in the area.
BJ...there are lots of crimson breasted shrikes in Pilanesberg....and lots of other lovely birdies!
BJ...there are lots of crimson breasted shrikes in Pilanesberg....and lots of other lovely birdies!
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Re: Two Days in the Crater.
Dewi, thanks for posting pics of the birds....
I have been able to ID one of mine from your pics..
Think a meet in the Park - the Berg (bird) park - could be a super idea.
I have been able to ID one of mine from your pics..
Think a meet in the Park - the Berg (bird) park - could be a super idea.
Pretoriuskop
Satara
Shingwedzi
20-30 Dec 2014
Satara
Shingwedzi
20-30 Dec 2014
Re: Two Days in the Crater.
Dewi,
Re your elephant story.
My sister was at Bakubang 2 weekends ago.
She heard of some people who got trapped behind a herd of elephants and wouldn't let them pass.
The whole herd was apparently very irate.
People who harass elephants are so irresponsible.
More great photos btw.
Re your elephant story.
My sister was at Bakubang 2 weekends ago.
She heard of some people who got trapped behind a herd of elephants and wouldn't let them pass.
The whole herd was apparently very irate.
People who harass elephants are so irresponsible.
More great photos btw.
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Re: Two Days in the Crater.
Hi Dewi. Only caught up with your T.T. now. Thanks for the amazing photos and all the beautiful bird pics.
We have seen one cheetah and managed to click off some pics. I have also been told that there are two - a male and a female.
Thanks souch for sharing with us.
We have seen one cheetah and managed to click off some pics. I have also been told that there are two - a male and a female.
Thanks souch for sharing with us.
Faith is the bird that feels the light while the dawn is still dark. Author unknown.