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Red-billed Quelea - Known locally as the ‘feathered locust’, Red-billed Quelea have historically been associated with the central interior of Africa. In South Africa they favour the millet producing areas of Limpopo Province where numbers run into millions over the harvest period. Clouds of quelea weaving back and forth in perfectly synchronized flight over ripening millet constitute an awesome sight not to mention the substantial loss of income to those affected.
Swarm of Queleas – W Tarboton |
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 Weather patterns in Africa tend to move in cycles from one extreme to another. Last year was exceptionally wet upcountry and ushered in a bumper breeding season. Quelea numbers peaked significantly and resulted in widespread losses. This year, as so often happens in Africa, the rainfall pattern collapsed dramatically. Most agricultural areas reported extremely low to zero rainfall patterns coupled to soaring temperatures and widespread crop losses in Feb/March.
Male Quelea – W Tarboton |
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April this year ushered in reports of Red-billed Quelea in the Western Cape for the first time. Initially the vagrants were recorded in ones and two's but by late April flocks were encountered weaving along the coastline and even offshore. Clearly drought conditions in the dry interior had precipitated this unprecedented influx to the wheat growing areas around Cape Town.
With scientists now fully alerted to the potential problem and economic loss to the wheat industry within the ‘bread basket' of South Africa the situation is being closely monitored with sightings being systematically recorded on a central data base to establish the size of the influx and likely trend. In all probability the influx will prove to be short lived with the birds departing north once the wet Cape winter sets in. .More on this in our next update update. |
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Wilson's Phalarope - The appearance of a mystery phalarope at dusk on one of the weed covered dams just north of Cape Town transformed itself into a female Wilson's Phalarope in full breeding plumage.
Not only was this rare and highly prized vagrant in magnificent condition it was incredibly tame as well affording one and all with up close and personal views. Word spread rapidly with birders from all over the country converging on the site to enjoy the ballerina like antics of this ever active shorebird. Joy however turned to anguish and disappointment for many upcountry birders booked on southbound flights when word of the bird's sudden departure on the third day swept through the cyber and cell phone world. Attempts to trace the phalarope on every other pan, dam and wetland were to no avail. Clearly another case of a ‘lost & found' migrant correcting its navigational error and heading north once again following a short period of re-orientation. This was the 15 th recorded sighting for South Africa and by far the most visually appealing!
Wilson’s Phalarope - G Searll
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TANQUA KAROO - This spectacular biome comprising of a mixture of Karoo related veld types in the rain shadow of the Cedarberg Mountains is home to a wide diversity of mammal, reptile, bird and botanical species. As such it is a treasure trove of delights for the avid naturalist in search of a medley of different sightings within a semi-arid environment. Latest rainfall reports following a series of cold fronts crossing the Atlantic from the west are well above average for this time of year and the entire landscape has transformed itself into a blaze of colour with ephemeral pans in the low lying areas and dams brim full throughout the southern section.
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A ‘whistle stop' birding trip to Tanqua Karoo confirmed that the anticipated influx of nomadic desert species from the north had already started with Ludwig's Bustards striding across the open plains while flocks of Grey-backed Finch Larks were arriving in increasing number. Pied Avocets were everywhere with birds pairing off to breed on the edges of the larger pans.
Pied Avocet – P Cardwell |
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By early August the entire area will be a patchwork of intense colour as various flowers come into full bloom under azure skies. Birding will be nothing short of fantastic as a host of different species converge to breed during the spring flower period. |
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PELAGIC BIRDING - A succession of cold fronts in recent months has made for some exciting birding off Cape Point. Highlights included Grey-backed Storm Petrel - a first for South Africa - followed by Wedge-tailed Shearwater and more recently views of Black-bellied Storm Petrel, Soft-plumaged Petrel, Antarctic Prion and a sub-adult Wandering Albatross to add to the excitement. All the regulars are appearing in increasing numbers as the winter weather hardens further south. Right now trips to the trawling grounds near the Cape Canyon are yielding excellent views of four species of albatross along with a string of other sightings including Manx Shearwater, Pintado Petrel both species of Giant Petrel and Great-winged Petrel to mention a few. Aside from the birds Southern Right Whales have returned to the bay below the house. Indications are that once again we are in for a bumper whale season.
Black-browed Albatross - G Searll |
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African Porcupine - Occasional visits in the past have evolved into ‘nocturnal affairs' of note with individuals and a family group putting in an appearance most nights of the week at our illuminated watering point. A quiet approach affords excellent views and great photo opportunities, for those so inclined, as is well illustrated in the shot above taken by a keen naturalist from Sweden.
African Porcupine - M Matthews |
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 NEW WEBSITE IMAGE LIBRARY:
Warwick Tarboton, one of SA's top ornithologists and a leading wildlife photographer, has compiled an image library of over 1700 shots taken over 40 years of photographic endeavor. Species covered are presented in collage format affording one the opportunity of picking out key diagnostic features for the more confusing species at leisure. As such the site constitutes and excellent educational aid for those seeking more info on certain of the more cryptically plumaged species. Aside from this extremely useful aspect the image library is a delight to the eye. Images are also available commercially for illustrative use.
Go to www.warwicktarboton.co.za to view the visual delights on offer.
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9th July 2007
This is where we will regularly post snippets and photos from our clients and from our own trips, interesting news items, and info on any forthcoming tours that may have space. 