South Africa: The Western Cape and Kwazulu-Natal

November 5th - 19th 2003

SYSTEMATIC LIST

By John van der Dol

The nomenclature used in the following list is that used by Sinclair, Hockey and Tarboton in "Sasol Birds of Southern Africa" Third Edition 2002 published by Struik.

(E) denotes endemic to South Africa

Common Ostrich Struthio camelus
Seen on many days in the Western Cape but all are of dubious origin

African Penguin Spheniscus demersus
An estimate of 1200 at Boulders Beach were followed by smaller numbers out at sea

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
Small numbers at suitable locations

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis
Seen only in the West with numbers under ten but there were 50 in the Langebaan Lagoon area

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Small numbers but 120 were noted at Richards Bay

Shy Albatross Diomedea cauta
Six on the pelagic off the Cape of Good Hope

Black-browed Albatross Diomedea melanophris
About ten birds consisting of mainly juvenile birds on the pelagic

Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross Diomedea chlorohynchos
Eight were seen on the pelagic

Southern Giant Petrel Macronectes giganteus
About ten were seen mostly following our boat

Northern Giant Petrel Macronectes halli
Just two were identified from the boat on the pelagic

Pintado Petrel Daption capense
About twenty was the estimate for this beautiful seabird

White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis
The biggest and one of the commonest petrel of the region. About 200 were estimated

Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea
A single on the pelagic

Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis
The most species on the trip with 600+ being estimated

Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus
About 100 were noted

Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus

Two were seen on the pelagic

Wilson's Storm Petrel Oceanites oceanites
Just one was seen hovering near our boat on the pelagic

Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus
Fifteen and two singles on the Cape and three with a flock of the next species at St Lucia in Natal

Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens
A single increased to 11 by the following day at the St Lucia estuary

Cape Gannet Morus capensis
Common along Cape coasts

White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax lucidus
Small numbers throughout

Bank Cormorant Phalacrocorax neglectus
Common in coastal waters in the Cape

Cape Cormorant Phalacrocorax capensis
Very numerous in the Cape with a guess of 2000 at the Cape itself

Reed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus
Up to six on seven dates on both sides of the continent

Crowned Cormorant Phalacrocorax coronatus
A dozen at Kommetjie was followed by three at Robben Island

African Darter Anhinga rufa
Small numbers in the west and a single in the east

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Up to three a day throughout

Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala
Up to six throughout

Goliath Heron Ardea goliath
Two at St Lucia were followed by five there the next day

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
One or two on seven dates

Great Egret Casmerodius albus
Just two singles in Natal

Little Egret Egretta garzetta
One or two on four dates in the Cape only Yellow-billed Egret Egretta intermedia Up to three on four dates

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Commonly encountered in all suitable areas

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
Just four at Richards Bay

Green-backed Heron Butorides striatus
A single from the bridge near Shakaland was the only record

Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Two at Strandfontein sewage works and a sub-adult at the bridge near Shakaland

Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutes
Two singles in the Cape and three at Bonamanzi

Hamerkop Scopus umbretta
A single at Mkhuze was the only record

Black Stork Ciconia nigra
One high in the Sani Pass Mountains may well have been the same as seen the next morning at Creighton

Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus
Between ten and 30 on four dates in the east

African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus
A single at Mkhuze completes the family set for most of our group

Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus
A dozen of these beauties were encountered at Mkhuze

Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis
Two at Mkhuze and a single at St Lucia

African Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus
Commonly found throughout

Southern Bald Ibis Geronticus calvus (E)
Nine, high on the plateau at 10,000 ft in Lesotho, came as a bit of a surprise to most and is a nice addition to our Lesotho bird list

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
Up to 40 in the Cape but only a single in the east

Hadeda Ibis Bostrychia hagedash
Commonly found in both urban and rural locations

African Spoonbill Platalea alba
Seen on both sides with a maximum of 18 in the West Coast National Park

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus rubber
Seen on four dates with numbers not exceeding 70

Lesser Flamingo Phoenicopterus minor
A flock of about 50 was seen on two dates at Langebaan

White-faced Duck Dendrocygna viduata
A single at Creighton was followed by two in the St Lucia estuary

White-backed Duck Thalassornis leuconotus
A pair on a lagoon on the Cape coast was the only sighting

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus
A very common species and would have been best restricted to the Nile Delta

South African Shelduck Tadorna cana
Two dates in the Cape with counts of 30 and six

Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata
Reasonably common on both sides

African Black Duck Anas sparsa
Three in a stream outside the Belmont Hotel in Ceres were the only record

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Could not get away without seeing at least one pair on the banks of the Berg River

Cape Teal Anas capensis
Three hundred at the Strandfontein sewage works were the only record

Hottentot Teal Anas hottentota
Five birds at range against the light were hardly satisfactory

Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha
Two at the Strandfontein sewage works were followed by another eight at Richards Bay

Cape Shoveler Anas smithii
Forty at the sewage works and two twos thereafter all in the

Cape Southern Pochard Netta erythrophthalma
Six at the sewage works, four up north and a single in the east

African Pygmy Goose Nettapus auritus
Two parties of three at Richards Bay

Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis
Commonly found throughout in small numbers but about 100 were recorded in the Berg River area

Maccoa Duck Oxyura maccoa
Eighteen at Strandfontein sewage plant were followed by three en route to the Tanqua

Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius
Fantastic and prolonged views were obtained of this amazing species as it walked up the hill a few miles south of Creighton

Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus
Excellent views were had of two different singles at Sani Pass in the Drakensberg Mountains

Cape Vulture Gyps coprotheres
Fifteen at Sani Pass were followed by another six the following day in the mountains just north from there

African White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus
A dozen or so at Mkhuze were the only records

Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus
Three in a mixed party with the previous species were unfortunately a little distant

Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius
Commonly seen virtually daily in all areas

Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus
Up to six on eight days on both sides

African Cuckoo-Hawk Aviceda cuculoides
After much discussion a perched bird at Bonamanzi proved to be of this quite uncommon species

Verreaux's Eagle Aquila verreauxii
The first two were seen at Rooi Els, then a male at the West Coast National Park and another single in a quarry on the way to the Tanqua Karoo

Wahlberg's Eagle Aquila wahlbergi
One over Dlinza Forest at Eshowe was followed by four the next day at Mkhuze

Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis
Three en route to the Sani Pass and another seen from the bus on the way to Durban on the last day

Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus
An adult and an immature were seen in the Tanqua Karoo en route Tanqua Guest House. We had good views of these gigantic creatures, the immature looking very similar to a Griffon Vulture

Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus
A single from the landcruisers at Bonamanzi was the sole record

Black-chested Snake Eagle Circaetus pectoralis
Singles at Dlinza Forest and St Lucia both gave good views. A scarce bird in South Africa

Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus
An adult and a juvenile were seen from the landcruisers at Banamanzi

Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis
A juvenile was seen on two consecutive days from our guesthouse at St Lucia

Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus
Two pale phase birds were seen in the mountains bordering the Tanqua Karoo and a dark-phase bird was seen in the Tanqua itself the next day

African Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer
Between one and six on five dates on both sides of the continent

Steppe Buzzard Buteo vulpinus
Commonly seen throughout

Forest Buzzard Buteo trizonatus (E)
Two birds in a foggy forest we were told were this species

Jackal Buzzard Buteo rufofuscus
Six singles and four en route to Sani Pass. This is a lovely bird and most gave good views

Red-breasted Sparrowhawk Accipiter rufiventris
A single flew over Simonstown Harbour early in the morning of the pelagic

Black Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus
Three sightings of a bird most of us always wanted to see. The first one being a male perched in the forest gave prolonged and close views

African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro
Four singles equally divided between both sides of the continent

Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk Melierax canorus
Four in the mountains bordering the Tanqua Karoo and in the Karoo itself were followed by another two there the next day

African Marsh Harrier Circus ranivorus
Three in the West Coast National Park area and two singles in the farming areas of Natal

Black Harrier Circus maurus
Another long-awaited species that did not disappoint. Four different sightings on both sides of our trip

African Harrier Hawk Polyboroides typus
Four in the foothills to the Sani pass and another over Dlinza Forest at Eshowe

Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Singles in the West Coast National Park and Richards Bay

Peregrine Falco peregrinus
Two birds tussling over Simonstown Harbour and another in the West Coast National Park area

Lanner Falco biarmicus
Singles seen from the bus near Ceres, another en route to Eshowe while there were three together in the sky as we were about to leave Shakaland

Rock Kestrel Falco rupicolus
Commonly seen in the west with a maximum of 20 along the road to the West Coast National Park. Two birds in the mountains west of the Tanqua was the only record in Natal

Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni
Two on an electricity pylon as we entered Cape Town on our return to catch the flight to Durban

Grey-winged Francolin Francolinus africanus (E)
A party of six and a party of five were seen at the entrance gates to the West Coast National Park

Red-winged Francolin Scleroptila levaillantii
Two on the way up to the Sani Pass were the only birds seen

Cape Francolin Francolinus capensis
Commonly encountered in the Cape only

Red-necked Spurfowl rancolinus afer
Two on the track in the fog-bound mountains near Creighton was the only record

Common Quail Cotunix cotunix
Up to three on three dates

Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris
Very common in all suitable areas

Crested Guineafowl Guttera pucherani
Four plus four chicks were seen in Bonamanzi followed by six the next day in Mkhuze

Black-rumped Buttonquail Turnix nana
A single of this scarce species was flushed in dry grassland near Creighton

Chukar Alectoris chukar
An introduction to Robben Island where two or three were seen

Blue Crane Amaurornis flavirostris
Ten en route the Tanqua and seven on the way back from there. Surprisingly two were seen over the oasis near the Tanqua Guesthouse. Generally this would seem a very dry area for a crane

Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum
Only seen in the East with counts of five, 42 and two on consecutive days. We had the privilege of watching "dancing cranes" near Creighton, a truly spectacular sight indeed

African Rail Rallus caerulescens
Two were seen of this difficult to find species in a small lagoon in the West Coast National Park

Black Crake Amourornis flavirostris
Just a single in a lake near Creighton

African Purple Gallinule Porphyrio madagascariensis
Three at Richards Bay was the sole record

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Commonly found in all suitable habitat

Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata
A common species found in most lagoons and lakes. At this time of year they are showing off their red knobs reminiscent of small red cherries

Ludwigs Bustard Neotis ludwigii
A single shortly after dawn was followed by a magnificent, close fly-over near the Tanqua Guesthouse

Denham's Bustard Neotis denhami
A displaying male was unfortunately rather distant just outside Creighton

Karoo Koorhaan Eupodotis vigorsii
Seven in the Karoo were followed by one there the next day

Southern Black Koorhaan Eupodotis afra (E)
Six just outside the West Coast National Park were followed by another three the following morning also in the Langebaan area

Black-bellied Koorhaan Eupodotis melanogaster
Two singles near Creighton probably refer to the same birds while another was seen between Bonamanzi and Mkhuze

African Jacana Actophilornis africanus
A dozen at Richards Bay and a single at Mkhuze

African Black Oystercatcher Haematopus moquini
Between two and 20 on four dates along the Cape shores

Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
Good numbers in Langebaan Lagoon and two at St Lucia

White-fronted Plover Charadrius marginatus
Small numbers on five occasions

Chestnut-banded Plover Charadrius pallidus
Four of this beautiful and elusive shorebird were found on the salt-ponds alongside the Berg River

Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius
Between two and four on three occasions and 15 at St Lucia. Seen having a fight with the previous species which had chicks in the area

Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris
Five at the salt-ponds were followed by three singles both in the Cape and

Natal Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola
Good numbers at Langebaan Lagoon

Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus
Between one and six on four dates in the West and a single in the East

Senegal Lapwing Vanellus lugubris
Two family parties totalling ten birds were seen from the landcruisers at Bonamanzi

Black-winged Lapwing Vanellus melanopterus
A loose group of ten birds were seen also at Bonamanzi associating with Wattled Plovers. A couple of chicks were noted

Blacksmith Lapwing Vanellus armatus
Commonly found throughout mostly on grazed pasture

African Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus
There were ten of these also from the landcruisers at Bonamanzi

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Three and one on consecutive days at Langebaan

Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus
A single from the garden of our guesthouse at St Lucia disrupted our breakfast for a minute or so

Common Sandpiper Tringa hypoleucos
Four at St Lucia on both days

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
Eight birds at Mkhuze and one or two at St Lucia

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
A single at St Lucia was an unusual sighting

Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis
Up to 15 on three dates and larger but uncounted numbers at Langebaan

Greenshank Tringa nebularia
Good numbers at Langebaan and up to six in the East

Red Knot Calidris canutus
Large numbers at Langebaan

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea
Again large numbers at Langebaan and in Natal small groups frequented the St Lucia estuary

Little Stint Calidris minuta
Seen on four dates on both sides but the only count was of 30 at Langebaan

Sanderling Calidris alba
Fifty at Langebaan and 25 and ten on consecutive days at St Lucia

African Snipe Gallinago nigripennis
Four at the lake just south of Creighton were a nice addition to the list

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica
Two at Langebaan were the only birds seen

Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata
Just one single at Langebaan

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Two singles and 30 and ten at Langebaan

Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta
Between five and 30 on four dates on both sides

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
Up to 20 on five dates

Spotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis
Four at the salt-ponds alongside the River Berg gave excellent views and were perhaps a little unexpected there

Water Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus
Two by some pools by the side of the road en route to Langebaan were followed by three at Mkhuze and a single at Bonamanzi

Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola
Ten at Mkhuze were followed by a dozen from the landcruisers at Bonamanzi

Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus
About 20 on the pelagic off Cape Town

Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus
Four on the pelagic trip

Sub-antarctic Skua Catharacta Antarctica
Five seen on the pelagic

Sabine's Gull Xema sabini
About 25+ passed the boat at close range giving excellent views Cape Gull Larus vetula A common bird along the Cape shores. Not seen in Natal

Grey-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus
A single in Cape Town, three in the River Berg and two singles in the St Lucia estuary

Hartlaub's Gull Larus hartlaubii
The commonest gull in the Cape but not recorded in Natal where it is a vagrant

Caspian Tern Sterna caspia
Two singles in the Cape and another two in Natal

Swift Tern Sterna bergii
Very common in the Cape with an estimated 3000 flying over our hotel, on the banks of the Berg River, soon after dawn. Hundreds also elsewhere. In Natal there was just a single at St Lucia

Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis
A single in the St Lucia estuary was the only record

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis
Commonly found on the west coast

Common Tern Sterna hirundo
Many on the pelagic but also reasonable numbers anywhere along the west coast

Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea Just two were positively identified on the pelagic but there would have been many more. The Albatrosses took our attention!

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus
The only marsh tern of the trip. Seen in small numbers in all suitable habitat with a maximum count of 17 in a lake en route to Ceres. Only three birds were seen in Natal

Namaqua Sandgrouse Pterocles namaqua
Six en route the Tanqua Karoo, 25 in the evening at the Tanqua Guesthouse and 283 in parties of up to about 50 the next morning. Excellent views and a welcome addition to most of our lists of Sandgrouse

Rock Dove Columba livia
Present in Cape Town and Simonstown and no doubt elsewhere

Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea
Commonly found throughout

African Olive Pigeon Columba arquatrix
Possibly one of the most attractive pigeons of the region with their sulphur-yellow feet, bill and facial skin contrasting with a dark purple plumage. There was a count of 21 on our first evening in the foothills of the Drakensberg mountains while the following day a total of 45 were noted and another single the next morning

Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata
Common throughout

Cape Turtle Dove Streptopelia capicola
Seen in small numbers in all areas

Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis
Common throughout the Cape and just a few in Natal

Namaqua Dove Oena capensis
Two singles and a pair, all in the Cape

Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove Turtur chalcospilos
About 40 at Mkhuze were followed by six at Bonamanzi the next day

Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria
A single near Shakaland was followed by three at Mkhuze and two at Bonamanzi

Lemon Dove Columba larvata
A species which is very difficult to get good views of. We were lucky to have a pair sit in a tree next to the track in good sunlight at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens showing off their iridescent green shoulder patches

Knysna Turaco Tauraco corythaix
A bird seen at the caravan park at St Lucia appeared to be of this species rather than the next. They are not supposed to overlap, but they very clearly do

Livingstone's Turaco Tauraco livingstonii
About five were seen in the forest and guesthouse garden at St Lucia

Purple-crested Turaco Musophaga porphyreolophus
Four in the Dlinza Forest, Eshowe and three at Mkhuze gave excellent views

Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius
More often heard than seen. Recorded on six days but only seen on three occasions. The first one gave a splendid display of tail fanning whilst calling in the forest

Klaas's Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas
A single on the way to the Sani Pass gave excellent views and this was followed by three in Mkhuze

Diderik Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius
A single heard near the Tanqua guesthouse was the only one in the Cape. Three individuals were seen in Natal

Burchell's Coucal Centropus burchelii
Singles at the bridge near Shakaland and Mkhuze were the only records

Spotted Eagle Owl Bubo africanus
One was seen in broad daylight on farmland not far from Langebaan. It was watched walking along a bank looking for prey. The second one was seen in torch light from the bus near Creighton just after dark while on the morning of our visit to a rainy Hlabeni Forest we saw another two along a fence line on the edge of the forest

Cape Eagle Owl Bubo capensis
Amazingly at the same place as we saw the previous species in torch light we also had this owl in the light. Excellent views were obtained at a reasonably close distance. However the next one was just a matter of a few yards away as it roosted in full day light on a crag on the way to the Sani Pass. This one was close enough to photograph

(Fiery-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus rufigena)
One or two heard in the Creighton area but the night we planned to go looking for them we were subjected to a tropical rainstorm, the likes of which we rarely experience in this country. Another heard in Bonamanzi

African Black Swift Apus barbatus
Fairly common throughout

White-rumped Swift Apus caffer
Also commonly seen in most areas

Horus Swift Apus hours
A summer visitor to Natal and just two were seen on three days

Little Swift Apus affinis
Also seen fairly frequently in most areas with a group of perhaps 300 near Langebaan being the maximum

Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba
Small numbers throughout

African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus
Between one and six on three dates all in Natal

Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus
The commonest of the family and seen in small numbers in all areas

White-backed Mousebird Colius colius
Between two and seven on three dates only in the Western Cape

Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus
Two or three near a lake west of Ceres and another two in Mkhuze

Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis
One or two on six dates on both sides of the continent

Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima
A bird seen on two occasions just outside Ceres was followed by further singles near the Sani Pass and St Lucia estuary

Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata
Two singles at a small lake west of Ceres and the other near Shakaland in Natal

African Pygmy Kingfisher Ispidina picta
One near the entrance to Shakaland was followed by two at Mkhuze the next day

Brown-hooded Kingfisher Halycon albiventris
One or two on four dates in Natal.

European Bee-eater Merops apiaster
Seen on four dates in the west with two maximum counts of 20 and just one single bird at Mkhuze in the east

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus
Two en route to Bonamanzi and a flock of 15 at the St Lucia estuary were the only records

Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus
A family group were found to be at nestholes just off the ground at Mkhuze

Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudate
A single in Mkhuze gave excellent views

Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus
A single along the road not long after we had left Bonamanzi en route to Mkhuze

African Hoopoe Upupa africana
Just one bird at Mkhuze gave us the run-around

Green Wood-Hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus
Two in Mkhuze were the only sightings

Common Scimitarbill Rhinopomastus cyanomelas
A single in Bonamanzi

Trumpeter Hornbill Bycanistes bucinator
First seen in the Dlinza Forest, Eshowe, then a single the next day in Mkhuze, 25 going to roost on the other side of the River St Lucia and six there the day after

Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill Tockus leucomelas
Three in Mkhuze gave good views

Crowned Hornbill Tockus alboterminatus
Two on the edge of Dlinza Forest and another the next day en route to Mkhuze

Black-collared Barbet Lybius torquatus
Two sat in a dead tree near Shakaland during our purple patch in the early morning there

Acacia Pied Barbet Tricholaema leucomelas
Singles in the quarry en route to Velddrif and on the road to the Tanqua Karoo

White-eared Barbet Stactolaema leucotis
Half a dozen birds were seen in the St Lucia area on both of our two days there. The first two were in the garden of our guesthouse

Red-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus pusillus
Two seen just outside the entrance to Shakaland were the only sightings

Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus bilinaetus
One near Shakaland was followed by five in the St Lucia area on our last day

Scaly-throated Honeyguide Indicator variegates
A single male was attracted to a tape in the St Lucia Forest.The Honeyguide's usual trick of flying past us at great speed on several occasions pausing only briefly still enabled us to get reasonable views

Brown-backed Honeybird Prodotiscus regulus
Not quite as obliging as the previous species and therefore seen well by only a handful of the group. This bird was in the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Ground Woodpecker Geocolaptes olivaceus (E)
This sought-after and enigmatic species performed well for our party. The first two were seen, initially at great distance on top of a rocky outcrop, at Rooi Els. They soon came down and gave better views. One was found in the mountains bordering the Tanqua Karoo after which a grand total of seven were seen at Sani Pass. The nest holes in solid sandstone were also observed suggesting they must have shares in Beechams

Golden-tailed Woodpecker Campethera albingoni
Two in the forest at St Lucia on our last day performed well

Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens
Easier to find here than in the Gambia. A total of eight were recorded from all areas over six days, including a bird whose only "tree" for fifty miles was planted by the local electricity company apart from a few in the nearby garden of the restaurant at the Geelbek visitor centre

Olive Woodpecker Dendropicos griseocephalus
Two in the Harold Porter Botanical gardens and a further two in the Dlinza Forest at Eshowe

Red-throated Wryneck Jynx ruficollis
A single bird could not escape Olive's attentions en route to our first night's accommodation in Natal. We all managed reasonable if not a little distant views in order to complete the world family of Wrynecks

Rufous-naped Lark Mirafra africana
Just three birds in farm land near Creighton was our only experience of this quite nice lark

Cape Long-billed Lark Certhilauda curvirostris (E)
A single bird on a fence post on our circular route out of Velddrif gave splendid views

Karoo Lark Mirafra albescens (E)
Two on consecutive days in the Karoo were the only sightings

Spike-heeled Lark Chersomanes albofasciata
Two in the desert surrounding our accommodation on our first evening at the Tanqua Guesthouse gave excellent views. The next morning another four were noted from the patio of the main house

Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea
Six were seen in the rolling pasture land around Velddrif, a single in the Karoo and two in the Sani Pass

Large-billed Lark Galerida magnirostris (E)
Found only in dry areas with up to six on four dates in the Cape and a further six in the Sani Pass

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
They arrived from Europe on our fifth day after which they became very common. Thousands passed over Bonamanzi on our first evening there

White-throated Swallow Hirundo albigularis
Small numbers seen on most days in the west and just six on the first three days in Natal after which they appeared to dry up

Blue Swallow Hirundo atrocaerulea
A rare species we would never have found on our own. Amazingly they breed in Aardvark holes and one nest was seen although apparently not occupied. There are only 23 known pairs in Natal and possibly only a couple of thousand in the world. Views were distant as four birds fed over a lake and adjoining grassland. I think we were privileged to see this threatened species

Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii
Between one and 20 in the St Lucia area on three dates

Red-breasted Swallow Hirundo semirufa
A pair of these giant swallows were seen from one of the landcruisers at Bonamanzi both perched and in flight

Pearl-breasted Swallow Hirundo dimidiata
Three on our last full day in the Cape were seen near the Tanqua Lodge and another single en route the Sani Pass

Greater Striped Swallow Hirundo cucullata
One of the commonest swallows of the region and seen in good numbers on most days

Lesser Striped Swallow Hirundo abyssinica
Most commonly encountered by the bridge near Shakaland where perhaps 20 birds were present. About 30 were noted in the Mkhuze area and odd ones in that general area

Rock Martin Hirundo fuligula
Commonly encountered in all areas

Brown-throated Martin Riparia paludicola
Small numbers seen in all areas

Banded Martin Riparia cincta
The first ten were seen by roadside pools en route to Langebaan followed by four the next day in the Velddrif area. One near Creighton and two at Mkhuze were the only records from Natal

Black Sawwing Psalidoprocne holomelas
Two pairs in the west were followed by one to six on four dates in the east

Black Cuckooshrike Campephaga flava
Six birds in the Shakaland area included at least one female which looks very different from the black males. After the silhouette in flight of this species was noted it seems likely it was being overlooked to a great degree.

Grey Cuckooshrike Coracina caesia
Two seen in the canopy in the Dlinza Forest, Eshowe were followed by a bird on the nest also in the canopy seen from the skywalk

Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimillis
Seen only in the east in good numbers in open country

Square-tailed Drongo Dicrurus ludwigii
In contrast this species is only found in woodland and three were found in the Dlinza Forest and seven in the St Lucia Wood

Eastern Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus
Two seen en route to Smithfield Guest Farm on our first day in Natal whilst the next day another was noted in the Creighton area. One was heard at St Lucia on our last day

Cape Crow Corvus capensis
Apparently more common away from the Cape. Two were seen on our second day in the Cape, three on our last day after which between five and 20 were noted in Natal

Pied Crow Corvus albus
The commonest corvid of the region and seen everywhere

House Crow Corvus splendens
It has seemingly reached Cape Town where a dozen or so were seen by the airport. Is this an indication as to what type of assistance it has received on its journey from India?

White-necked Raven Corvus albicollis
Up to six a day in the Cape and just one or two in the mountains of Natal

Grey Tit Parus afer
Seven were seen on our circular trip from Velddrif and two more in the Sani Pass

Southern Black Tit Parus niger
Three round the restaurant at Mkhuze was the only record

Cape Penduline Tit Anthoscopus minutus
Three near the quarry on the way to Velddrif gave only distant and brief views

Bush Blackcap Lioptilus nigricapillus (E)
A single bird gave close but brief views while another was heard, both in the foothills of the Sani Pass

Dark-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor
Present only in the east. The trouble with vermin is you can not help but notice them!

Cape Bulbul Pycnonotus capensis (E)
Only present in the Cape. Should be called "Takenonotus"

Terrestrial Brownbul Phyllastrephus terrestris
A much more interesting all brown bird difficult to see. Two were noted at Mkhuze and another two in the forest at St Lucia

Sombre Greenbul Andropadus importunes
Another cracker! Two singles in the Cape and between two and ten on four dates in Natal

Yellow-bellied Greenbul Chlorocichla flaviventris
Up to a dozen on four dates in the bush country of the east

Kurrichane Thrush Turdus libonyanus
Five near Shakaland and a single the next day at Mkhuze

Olive Thrush Turdus olivaceus
Seen in more lush vegetation than the previous species and up four on seven dates on both sides of the continent were seen

Karoo Thrush Turdus smithi (E)
Just one was seen briefly in the oasis at Tanqua Lodge

Spotted Ground-Thrush Zoothera guttata
Three seen at very close range in the Dlinza Forest may well have been one of the birds of the trip for some especially as this is classified as endangered

Cape Rock Thrush Monticola rupestris (E)
Seven at Rooi Els and six in the Sani Pass including some in Lesotho. A country with a tick-list not very great

Sentinel Rock-Thrush Monticola exploratory (E)
How lucky the people of Lesotho are to have two Rock-Thrushes! Six were seen at high altitude

Mountain Wheatear Oenanthe monticola
Ten seen in the mountains west of the Karoo

Capped Wheatear Oenanthe pileata
As soon as we travelled away from the coast in an easterly direction from the West Coast National Park we started seeing this species. Between two and 30 were seen during the last four days in the Cape mostly in the grassland and cereal area around Velddrif

Buff-streaked Chat Oenanthe bifasciata (E)
Three in the Sani Pass were the only ones seen

Familiar Chat Cercomela familiaris
Found only in dry stony habitat mostly at Rooi Els where six were noted and then in the Karoo where up to six a day were seen on four dates. In the east there were just two At Sani Pass

Trac Trac Chat Cercomela tractrac
Just two in the Karoo on two dates of a grey species with a colourful name

Sickle-winged Chat Cercomela sinuate
Two on two dates in the Cape also well away from the coast and four at the Sani Pass

Karoo Chat Cercomela schlegelii
As its name suggests, only found in the Karoo with three birds one day and one the next

Southern Anteating Chat Myrmecocichla formicivora
Two in the Tanqua Karoo area were the sole records

African Stonechat Saxicola torquata
Now considered a separate species from the

European Stonechat (S. rubicola).
In the Cape just three were seen in the mountains bordering the Karoo while in the East there were up to ten on the first three days there after which there were none

Chorister Robinchat Cossypha dichroa
One heard in the fog in the Hlabeni Forest was followed by four seen in the Dlinza Forest the next day

Red-capped Robinchat Cossypha natalensis
One, three and seven seen on our last three days in Natal, often in and around the garden of our accommodation in St Lucia

Cape Robinchat Cossypha caffra
Between one and a dozen on six dates in the Cape but only three in the East at the Sani Pass which was the only habitat visited in Natal resembling anything like what we had seen in the west

White-throated Robinchat Cossypha humeralis (E)
One during our purple patch outside the Shakaland camp gave good close but rather brief views

(Cape Rock-jumper Chaetops frenatus) (E)
Despite two visits to Rooi Els we were not able to connect with this sought-after species, although a couple of the party reckoned they had heard it. An excuse (if we need one) to return

Drakensberg Rock-jumper Chaetops aurantius (E)
Four males and a female gave a spectacular display outside the highest pub in Africa (10,000ft) in Lesotho. Why on earth they these colourful birds need to live right up there is anybody's guess

White-browed Scrubrobin Cercotrichas leucophrys
Seven were recorded during our day at Dlinza forest and Bonamanzi

Brown Scrubrobin Cercotrichas signata (E)
Three in the forest at St Lucia were the only birds seen

Bearded Scrubrobin Cercotrichas quadrivirgata
Between one and three seen in Bonamanzi, Mkhuze and St Lucia all on the last four days

Karoo Scrubrobin Cercothrichas coryphaeus
Between two and six on the last four days in the Cape and as the name suggests only in the Karoo areas

Chestnut-vented Titbabbler Parisoma subcaeruleum
One in a picnic spot in the Karoo was followed by two in a similar place the following day

Layard's Titbabbler Parisoma layardi
Three at a picnic spot in the Karoo were followed by one at Sani Pass

Lesser Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris
Between one and four on five days on both sides of the continent

Little Rush Warbler Bradypterus baboecala
A bird at the Standfontein Sewage works was followed by just one heard at the West Coast National Park but most people never connected with this skulky species

African Reed Warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus
A single at a picnic site in the desert was followed by a single and five more heard in the oasis in the Tanqua

Dark-capped Yellow Warbler Chloropeta natalensis
Two on the way up to Sani Pass were the only ones recorded

Barratt's Warbler Bradypterus barratti (E)
Three heard and a single seen at Sani Pass. This is another skulky endemic and requires a little patience

Broad-tailed Warbler Schoenicola brevirostris
This bird lives up to its name. This one bird in a reed bed just outside Creighton gave prolonged, if not a little distant, views

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus
Just two singles in Natal; almost as common as in East Kent this last spring

Knysna Warbler Bradypterus sylvaticus (E)
A single bird in the Constantia Greenbelt in the Western Cape gave our group the run-around. This is an extremely skulky species, creeping around the bottom of the thickest bush like a mouse. However after a considerable wait most of the group got what can only be described as a brief view. Another endemic

Victorin's Warbler Bradypterus victorini (E)
Two males, one of which was seen, at the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens. Another one of these extremely hard to see Bradypterus Warblers

Bar-throated Apalis Apalis thoracica
A male heard in the Hlabeni Forest was followed by two observed at Mkuze and a further two at St Lucia

Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida
Two in the Dlinza Forest, ten at Mkhuze and a single at St Lucia

Rudd's Apalis Apalis ruddi (E)
Two at Mkhuze and another one plus five heard in the forest at St Lucia

Long-billed Crombec Sylvietta rufescens
Three in the mountains bordering the Karoo, two in the Karoo itself and another two at Mkhuze

Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis
Two birds in an Acacia stand in the desert on the way to Tanqua Guesthouse were the only ones seen

Green-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura
Small numbers seen on most days in Natal

Cape Grassbird Sphenoeacus afer
One seen in the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens and two further birds in the lower elevations of the Sani Pass

Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis
Two in the oasis of the Tanqua Karoo and another four in the grasslands near Creighton

Cloud Cisticola Cisticola textrix
Three in the oasis in the Tanqua Karoo were probably not the only birds of this species. A little more experience with these things would be handy

Wing-snapping Cisticola Cisticola ayresii
Two at the Blue Swallow site near Creighton were watched as they fell out of the sky

Wailing Cisticola Cisticola lais
One in the lower levels of the Sani Pass

Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chinianus
One at Mkhuze was followed by 10-15 from the landcruisers at Bonamanzi the next day

Winding Cisticola Cisticola galactotes
About five were seen off the landcruisers at Bonamanzi

Grey-backed Cisticola Cisticola subruficapillus
Between two and six on most days in the Western Cape

Levaillants Cisticola Cisticola tinniens
Two on three days in the west and between six and 11 on three days in Natal always in reed beds or fringes

Croaking Cisticola Cisticola natalensis
Good views of just one bird sitting on tall grass-stems just outside Creighton

Neddicky Cisticola fulvicapillus
After the first one at the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens which was so difficult to see it was a bit of a surprise to have them out in the open in Natal. A total of five were seen there on four dates

Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava
Two or three on three dates in dry scrubby habitat in Natal were the only records

Karoo Prinia Prinia maculosa
The commonest prinia in the west with up to 20 seen in a day. In Natal where there is discussion going on about this and the next species, one was identified at the bottom of the Sani Pass

Drakensberg Prinia Prinia hypoxantha (E)
Two and a single in the Drakensberg mountains

Namaqua Warbler Phragmacia substriata
Two seen and about another dozen heard in the Tanqua oasis. This is another one of those species that requires a lot of time before you get good views

Rufous-eared Warbler Malcorus pectoralis
Two seen in the Karoo were a little distant

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata
One in the Tanqua oasis, and another in the forest just outside Creighton

African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta
Two in the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens, three in the Kirstenbosch Gardens and a single in the Sani Pass

Ashy Flycatcher Muscicapa caerulescens
Two near Shakaland were followed by another two at Mkhuze the next day

Grey Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus plumbeus
Two near the restaurant at Mkhuze gave good views

Southern Black Flycatcher Melaenornis pammelaina
A single near the restaurant at Mkhuze was followed by two at Bonamanzi the next day

Pale Flycatcher Bradornis pallidus
A single at Mkhuze Fiscal Flycatcher Sigelus silens A single at the riverbed near the lagoon at Porterville was the only one seen

African Paradise Flycatcher Tersiphone viridis
Seen in small numbers on both sides of the continent

Cape Batis Batis capensis
Between one and four on many dates on both sides of the continent

Pririt Batis Batis pririt
Two on two days in Acacia stands in the Karoo

Chinspot Batis Batis molitor
Two seen from the landcruisers at Bonamanzi were seen only by half the party

Woodward's Batis Batis fratrum (E)
A single in the forest at St Lucia was a welcome addition to the list on our last day

Fairy Flycatcher Stenostira scita
A single and a two in Acacia stands in the Karoo and another on the way to the Sani Pass in Natal

Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher Trochocercus cyanomelas
A single was seen by just two people at Mkhuze

Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis
Commonly found throughout

African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp
Between one and three on the last four days in Natal

Mountain Wagtail Motacilla clara
A single bird from the bridge near Shakaland was seen on two consecutive dates

African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus
Ones and twos regularly encountered on both sides

Mountain Pipit Anthus hoeschi
Another species only found on our Lesotho list where two were present

Cape Longclaw Macronyx capensis
Two were seen on our round trip at Velddrif, and two or three during the first three days in Natal

Yellow-throated Longclaw Macronyx croceus
One at Richards Bay was followed by three from the landcruisers at Bonamanzi

Rosy-throated Longclaw Macronyx ameliae
A single of this species was seen on the river-saltings at Bonamanzi. Good views were obtained of this stunning bird as it paraded in the long grass

Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio
Five were seen at Bonamanzi on our last morning there

Common Fiscal Lanius collaris
Commonly seen throughout mostly on wires

Southern Bou Bou Laniarius ferrugineus
Fairly commonly encountered although heard more often than seen

Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla
Between two and seven seen on a daily basis in the forested areas of Natal

(Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegala)
Heard on three dates but surprisingly never seen. Not a difficult bird to see in the Gambia

Bokmakierie Telophorus zeylonus
Singles on five dates in the west and on two in the east

Gorgeous Bush Shrike Telephorus quadricolor
Heard more often than seen but two were seen by the lucky participants of one of the landcruisers at Bonamazi

Orange-breasted Bush Shrike Telophorus sulfureopectus
The rest of will have to be satisfied with this dull little number! Between one and four were seen on three dates in Natal

Olive Bush Shrike Telophorus olivaceus
One of the few birds actually seen through the fog in the Hlabeni Forest

Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Common in the west but in the east only seen in farm land

Common Myna Acridotheres tristis
It has arrived here as well! Up to half a dozen a day in Natal only

Pied Starling Spreo bicolor (E)
Two hundred in the Velddrif area and smaller numbers thereafter. Just six were seen near Creighton

Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea
This wonderful starling gave excellent views on our last morning in the Karoo

Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
This bird has colours not thought possible by northern hemisphere birders! Eight were seen in the Shakaland area and another six at Mkhuze

Cape Glossy Starling Lamprotornis nitens
Four at Mkhuze and rather more at Bonamanzi the next day

Black-bellied Starling Lamprotornis corruscus
Not really counted but seen in good numbers during our last four days in Natal

Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio
Commonly seen throughout the Cape but scarcer in Natal

Pale-winged Starling Onychognathus nabouroup
One bird seen by one lucky observer from the bus in the Karoo

Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus
Five in Mkhuze were seen well, firstly on the legs of antelope and then coming down to drink at the waterhole

Gurney's Sugarbird Promerops gurneyi (E)
Five seen at close range feeding on Proteas at the Sani Pass were enjoyed by all

Cape Sugarbird Promerops cafer (E)
About a dozen at Rooi Els and a single in the Velddrif area

Malachite Sunbird Nectarinia famosa
This splendid little bird was seen in ones and twos on three occasions in the Cape but 14 were counted leading up to the Sani Pass

Purple-banded Sunbird Cinnyris bifasciata
A single male was seen at Bonamanzi

Neergaard's Sunbird Cinnyris neergaardi (E)
Two were seen from the bus at Mkhuze

Orange-breasted Sunbird Nectarinia violacea (E)
Only seen in the west with two singles and about a dozen in the fynbos areas of the SW Cape

Southern Double-collared Sunbird Nectarinia chalybea
Common in the Cape with up to a dozen a day but in Natal only two were seen in the Hlabeni Mountains G

reater Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris afra (E)
Two en route to Creighton and three in the Sani Pass the following day were the only records of this species

White-bellied Sunbird Cinnyris talatala
Good numbers in the Bonamanzi/Mkhuze and St Lucia areas

Grey Sunbird Cyamomitra veroxii
A single nesting bird behind one of the chalets in Bonamanzi and another single at St Lucia

Eastern Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra olivacea
Between two and four on three dates towards the end of our stay in Natal in forested situations

Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis
Two on the way to Mkhuze and a single in Bonamanzi

Amethyst Sunbird Chslcomitra amethystine
Eight on our first day in Natal were followed by singles at Dlinza and Mkhuze

Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris
Between one and five on four dates in the east

Cape White-eye Zosterops pallidus
Common throughout

African Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis
Just one seen from one of the landcruisers at Bonamanzi

House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Present in small numbers

Cape Sparrow Passer melanurus
Fairly commonly found particularly in arid areas

Southern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer diffuses
Between one and three on three dates in the east

Yellow-throated Petronia Petronia superciliaris
Two near Shakaland and three at Mkhuze were the only sightings

Thick-billed Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons
Two females at St Lucia showed well

Dark-backed Weaver Ploceus bicolour
Two near Shakaland and another two in the forest at St Lucia

Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis
Singles near Shakaland, Mkhuze and two at Bonamanzi

Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus
Just a single near the bridge at Shakaland

Cape Weaver Ploceus capensis (E)
Common in the Cape but just a few in the east

Southern Masked Weaver Ploceus velatus
Commonly seen the arid areas of the Cape and just two on our first day in Natal

Lesser Masked Weaver Ploceus intermedius
Singles at Richards Bay, Mkhuze and about a dozen at Bonamanzi

African Golden Weaver Poplceus subaureus
About 50 or more at Richards Bay were followed by 60 at Bonamanzi. In both places they were nesting in reed beds

Southern Brown-throated Weaver Ploceus xanthopterus
Just one bird was located amongst the hordes of the previous species at Richards Bay

Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea
Common in the east in all stages of plumage

Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix
Also commonly encountered in the farmland and dry areas of the Cape and throughout Natal

Yellow Bishop Euplectes capensis
Between one and six on five dates in the Cape whilst on the other side they were seen only in the Creighton area but in good numbers

Red-shouldered Widowbird Euplectes axillaris
Very common in the farmland areas of Natal and seen in all plumages

White-winged Widowbird Euplectes albonotatus
A single on our first day in Natal was followed by two in the grassland area near Creighton

Red-collared Widowbird Euplectes ardens
The same applies as with the previous species and often these would be found together

Long-tailed Widowbird Euplectes progne
Seen commonly in the farmland areas of Natal. Some were in full breeding plumage with tails that long they could hardly fly, but their dancing flight was truly spectacular

Green Twinspot Mandingoa nitidula
A small flock of eight was found in the caravan park at St Lucia and these afforded excellent views

Blue Waxbill Uraeginthus angolensis
Two foraging in the undergrowth near Shakaland constitutes the sole record

Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild
Often found in small parties on both sides of the divide with a flock of 40 in the Hlabeni mountains being the biggest count

Swee Waxbill Estrilda melanotis
Fifteen in Harold Porter Botanical gardens was the only record

Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata
Seen on three days in the east with the maximum count of 40 on our first day there

Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura
Small numbers in the dry areas of the west and a little more common in the farmland areas of Natal. Many are in full breeding dress at this time of year


Eastern Paradise Whydah Vidua paradisaea
Between one and three on three dates in Natal. This bird gave us excellent views of its stunning plumage and needs to be seen to be believed

Variable Indigobird Vidua funerea
Nine of this species were seen in the Shakaland area

Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs
Not quite what we travelled all this way for! One heard and another seen in the Greenbelt area and Harold Porter Botanical Gardens respectively

Yellow-fronted Canary Serinus mozambicus
Between one and four on three dates in Natal is almost certainly an underestimate as many canaries went unidentified. This is a most confusing family for the first-time visitor

Lemon-breasted Canary Serinus citrinipectus (E)
A single at Bonamanzi on the edge of the flood plain gave good views in the scopes

Cape Canary Serinus canicollis
Commonly found throughout the Cape and the southern part of Natal

Forest Canary Serinus scotops (E)
Two in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and a single in the Hlabeni Mountains were the only sightings

Cape Siskin Pseudochloroptila totta (E)
One on Cape Peninsula and three in the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens

Drakensberg Siskin Pseudochloroptila symonsi (E)
About 15 were seen at 10,000 feet in Lesotho scuffling around on the ground in the pub car park

Brimstone Canary Serinus sulphuratus
Three at Rooi Els and singles in the mountains bordering the Karoo and on our first day in Natal

Yellow Canary Serinus flaviventris
Found only in the arid areas with small numbers up to five on three days in the west and three at the Sani Pass

White-throated Canary Serinus albogularis
A single at Langebaan, 20 in the Tanqua and a further six there the next day

Protea Seed-eater Serinus leucopterus (E)
One of the most sought-after species in South Africa. We were taken to a site where it occurs on the mountain side near Ceres in thick protea vegetation and after some perseverance we had superb views of a bird just feet from the road as it sat there singing its heart out. There were actually two birds present. The following morning as we passed the site again a brief stop was immediately rewarded with further excellent views

Streaky-headed Seed-eater Serinus gularis
A single bird in the Sani Pass firmed up the identification for three of the party who had claimed the species in the Gambia where it is not supposed to occur

Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris
Singles at Shakaland and Mkhuze

Cape Bunting Emberiza capensis
Seen in small numbers throughout the Cape and a further three were seen in the Sani Pass

Larklike Bunting Emberiza impetuani
A single in the mountains bordering the Karoo was followed by six birds around the grounds of our Tanqua accommodation and a further two were seen in the Sani Pass

Total number of species seen was 419 (plus 3 heard only) and 36 of these were endemic to South Africa. Many more are endemic to Southern Africa.


MAMMALS AND REPTILES

Chacma Baboon (Savanna Baboon) Papio cynocehalus ursinus
Found in sometimes large troops in savanna habitat and coastal cliffs

Vervet Monkey Chlorocebus aethiops
Good numbers at Bonamanzi, Mkhuze and St Lucia T

hick-tailed Bushbaby Galago crassicaudatus
One seen at night at Bonamanzi was followed by two there the next evening

Scrub Hare Lepus saxatilis
Two singles in the Cape Zululand

Red Squirrel Paraxerus palliates
One and four seen our two days at St Lucia. This is one of two isolated populations in Kwazulu Natal being the only sites for them in South Africa

Striped Mouse Rhabdomys pumilio
One or two seen on three days

Karoo Bush Rat Otomys unisulcatus
A single near Velddrif Sloggett's

Ice Rat Otomys sloggetti
Three at 10,000 feet in Lesotho gave good views

Bat-eared Fox Otocyon megalotis
Two seen just outside the West Coast National Park

Cape Clawless Otter Aonyx capensis
Two on the rocks near Boulders Beach on the Western Cape

Spotted-necked Otter Lutra maculicollis
A very brief view of an Otter disappearing in the lagoon near Creighton was purported to be of this species

Lesser Grey Mongoose Galerella pulverulenta
Two at the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens

Slender Mongoose Galerella sanguinea
One was seen at St Lucia

Yellow Mongoose Cynictis penicillata
Two in the West Coast National Park and another one near Velddrif the next day

Rock Hyrax (Dassie) Procavia capensis
Two on two days on the coastal cliffs in the west and one going up the Sani Pass. Evidence of the species was also seen in the mountains bordering the Karoo in the shape of communal dumping stations

Burchell's Zebra (Plains Zebra) Equus burchellii
Five in Mkhuze were the only sightings

Warthog Phacochoerus africanus
One in Mkhuze and two at St Lucia were the only records of a species which should be abundant, but as a result of the year-long drought has moved out

Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibious
Two family groups in the St Lucia River totalling about 15 beasts gave us much entertainment. Probably the same group of about six was seen the next day also in the estuary

Common Giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis
Two distant animals were complimented by a pair with well grown calf at Mkhuze by the side of the road therefore affording excellent views

Greater Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros
A bull and three cows were seen in Mkhuze

Nyala Tragelaphus angasii
Commonly encountered in Bonamanzi and Mhkuze

Mountain Reedbuck Redunca fulvorufula
Two seen in the evening near Creighton

Common Reedbuck Redunca arundinum
Seen in small numbers on three days in the Creighton and Mkhuze areas

Grey Rhebok Pelea capreolus
Four seen in the Velddrif area

Blue Wildebeest Connocchaetes taurinus
Groups of ten and nine were seen at Mkhuze and Bonamanzi respectively

Impala Aepyceros melampus
Very common in both Bonamanzi and Mkhuze

Steenbok Raphicerus campestris
Although seen on a number of occasions it is difficult to ascertain as to whether they were wild or not. Apparently farmers like having them around and so buy a few to roam their farms

Red Duiker Cephalophus natalensis
Seen in Bonamanzi and Mkhuze in single figures

Blue Duiker Cephalophus monticola
Three seen in Dlinza Forest, Eshowe gave excellent views

Common Duiker Sylvicapra grimmia
Two seen near Sani Pass

Cape Fur Seal Arctocephalus pusillus
Seen on Cape coasts, one on our first day, 20 on our second day and 40 the next. One was watched demolishing an African Penquin just off Boulders Beach

Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis
A school of an estimated 500 were all around our boat and one was even heard by one of our party

Southern Right Whale Eubalaena glacialis
A single was seen close inshore in False Bay

Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae
Two adults and a calf were seen well south of the Cape Peninsula on our pelagic

Brydes Whale Balaenoptera edeni
A single seen in False Bay on our return from our pelagic

Nile Crocodile
Three seen on our first day at St Lucia and one there the next day