by Avian Leisure | Mar 14, 2016 | NEWS
There can be few ‘lifer’ related quests more debilitating and frustrating than trying to connect with a silent ‘will o’ the wisp’ somewhere in the fathomless depths of a tropical forest in the non-breeding season, where sunlight and shadow play tricks on the eye in a...
by Avian Leisure | Mar 14, 2016 | NEWS
Perhaps it’s their catholic taste for precise habitat requirements that has captured my fascination for the ‘lark’ family in its global entirety. Cryptic in colouration, and less than vocal in most instances, larking about in search of new species for my ‘life list’...
by Avian Leisure | Mar 14, 2016 | NEWS, Uncategorized
“Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Lewis Carroll ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Indeed, somewhat of a ‘stork’ by another name with...
by Avian Leisure | Dec 28, 2014 | NEWS
The regular crowd are back in full force this summer, with no less than 35 birds loafing about in our indigenous garden. Arriving in October and departing by end April they provide delightful entertainment as they jostle amicably for positions around our nectar...
by Avian Leisure | Nov 19, 2014 | NEWS, TRIP REPORTS
Of all the owl species found in Southern Africa the enigmatic and highly localised Pel’s Fishing Owl is unquestionably the most desirable and challenging of all to locate. A shy and retiring species associated with large well foliaged riparian trees alongside slow...
by Avian Leisure | Nov 19, 2014 | NEWS, TRIP REPORTS
July 2002: We have been living in Uganda for over 2 years – Patrick is the MD of Uganda Breweries and gets to drive a red Landrover Discovery number-plated ‘Bell 1’ after the best selling beer in the country – Bell Lager. But more importantly,...
by Avian Leisure | Oct 14, 2014 | NEWS, Uncategorized
Of all the sounds along the West Coast in early summer the strident and varied territorial calls of a pair of colourful Bokmakieries dueting from an exposed perch, seemingly for the sheer pleasure of it, are for me a delight to the ear. Originally described by...
by Avian Leisure | Oct 14, 2014 | NEWS, Uncategorized
These two relatively common birds of the acacia drainage lines and reed choked river beds of the Tanqua Karoo are very similar in general appearance as they flirt their spindly tails about while foraging through the undergrowth in search of their main prey in the form...
by Avian Leisure | Oct 14, 2014 | NEWS, Uncategorized
While the charismatic Cape Rockjumper is arguably the jewel in the south western Cape birding crown, the Black Harrier for me is the one bird that gets the adrenaline surging every time I see one! Of all the harriers in the world it is surely the most striking with...
by Avian Leisure | Oct 3, 2014 | NEWS, Uncategorized
While not the most melodious of the endemic larks in Southern Africa it is, for me, the most endearing of the collective suite of larks we have on offer to visiting birders. Sitting on the crest of a sparsely vegetated red Kalahari sand dune in early spring watching...
