by Avian Leisure | Jan 25, 2022 | NEWS, TRIP REPORTS
Flappet lark – a small lark within the Mirafira suite found in the east of South Africa within grassy savanna habitat…. Highly secretive unless in conspicuous display flight circling high up over territory with intermittent bursts of wing clapping before...
by Avian Leisure | Jan 21, 2022 | NEWS, TRIP REPORTS
While the sight of Giant Eagle Owl perched in an aging leadwood tree is always an awesome sight on any game drive, it’s the endearing little guys that tend to steal the ‘owl’ show … Kruger Park has three species of ‘owlet’ that are fairly regularly observed. The...
by Avian Leisure | Jan 17, 2022 | NEWS, Uncategorised
Confusion between the two intra-African swallow migrants encountered during the summer months has precipitated this ID related note and supporting images illustrating the key distinguishing features between the two species. The Lesser Striped Swallow is smaller in...
by Avian Leisure | Jun 22, 2021 | TRIP REPORTS
There are few moments in the bird world that eclipse the awe-inspiring sight of a spectacular Bearded Vulture careening majestically in albatross-like flight across the sheer face of a precipitous basalt cliff high in the mountainous terrain of the Great Escarpment in...
by Avian Leisure | Jun 22, 2021 | NEWS
As every dedicated ‘twitcher’ knows, speed is of the essence in response to a mega-rarity report, this in the knowledge that the ‘lost’ bird will soon be on its way again once it re-orientates navigationally… And so, we paid little attention to the rarity posting of...
by Avian Leisure | Jun 21, 2021 | NEWS
Penguins are without doubt the most entertaining and endearing members of the bird world. Not only this but the fact that they are so confiding adds to their gnome-like comical appeal and drawcard attraction within ecotourism circles and marine parks throughout the...
by Avian Leisure | Jun 18, 2021 | NEWS, TRIP REPORTS
When birding there are good days and there are great days of memorable significance… One of these is spending a day in the Giants Castle mountain reserve vulture hide set high up in the mountains on the edge of a cliff with a scenically spectacular backdrop of the...
by Avian Leisure | Jun 18, 2021 | NEWS
One of the most enigmatic forest birds of the tropical understorey is the characteristic African Broadbill. Shy and unobtrusive at the best of times it is usually located by its audible wing whirring display flight from a favoured perch during the first light of dawn....
by Avian Leisure | Jun 18, 2021 | NEWS
Within the suite of similarly drab-plumaged pipits resident locally in South Africa, three favour rocky terrain and areas of rugged outcrops interspersed by patches of sparse scrubland and broad-leafed woodland. Striped pipits are distinctive as the description...
by Avian Leisure | Dec 23, 2020 | TRIP REPORTS
We are sitting on an isolated outcrop of ancient rocks, well to the west of Kimberley of past diamond digging fame, on the very edge of the Kalahari Desert – a mysterious expanse filled with an enduring aura of the unknown and a sense of timelessness with much...
