BirdLife Free State Visit to Tussen-die-Riviere

Due to unplanned circumstances, the Smithfield birders could not make what sounds to have been a wonderful weekend. Thank you to Louise Coetzee for her report and an amazing photo.

BirdLife Free State undertook a club outing to Tussen-die-Riviere on the weekend of 30 October to 1 November 2009.  The reserve looked extraordinarily beautiful and green due to the recent rain.  We arrived on Friday afternoon, entering through the eastern gate, as the bridge over the Caledon River was flooded, blocking off the main entrance.  On the way to the rest camp, we encountered Grey-winged Francolin and Eastern Long-billed Lark – already testing our “Little Brown Job” skills.

On Saturday morning we explored the interior of the reserve by visiting the Versterspos picnic site for breakfast and then went on to the “Klipstapels”.  Here we observed a pair of Pririt Batis at their nest and Layard’s Titbabbler.  During the morning the LBJs put up a good show, as we saw the Karoo Long-billed-, Largebilled-, Spikeheeled- and the ubiquitous Eastern Clapper Lark, as well as five species of pipits – African-, Long-billed, (what we thought was) Kimberley-, Buffy and African Rock Pipit.

After lunch at the easternmost picnic site, we returned to the rest camp via the Orange River route.  However, we had to turn back half way as the road was flooded.  The clouds built up heavily and later that afternoon we experienced a proper Free State thunderstorm.  Just before sunset the sun broke through the heavy clouds, treating us to a beautiful sighting of a double rainbow.

The thunderstorm put an end to the electricity, but luckily to braai electricity is not essential.  The power was restored some time during the night.

On Sunday morning we followed the Middelpunt route, but again could not complete the route due to muddy roads.  On the way out we had lovely sightings of Fairy Flycatcher, Red-throated Wryneck and African Rock Pipits – all close to the road.  We left the reserve about lunchtime, leaving us enough time to return to Bloemfontein before dark.

Tussen-die-Riviere remains a favourite birding destination, not only because of the challenges to identify the LBJs, but also the scenery and pleasant accommodation.

Louise Coetzee
BirdLife Free State

Blue Cranes sighted

A family of more than 50 Blue Cranes were sighted near the road on the way from Norvals Pont to Oviston

They’re Back

The Lesser Kestrels are swarming in layers over Smithfield in preparation for their communial roost.

An awesome sight!

I am sure that is what this masked weaver is saying.

More later…..

 

 

 

Some of the Lesser Kestrels seen circling overhead.

Bloemfontein Bird Club Visit

The Bloemfontein Bird Club paid a visit to Tussen Die Rievier.

They passed through Smithfield, and we eagerly await their report on the weekend.

Seen in Smithfield

Acacia Pied Barbet R465 Bonthoutkapper

Seen and heard around Smithfield at the moment, the Acacia Pied Barbet is a medium to smallish bird with a bright red forehead, a black hindcrown, broad black stripe through the eye and broad black bib from chin to chest. The rest of the underparts are white. Its back is black, with narrow yellow streaks, and the eyebrow is also yellow. These, plus the dark eye, prominent blackish horn bill, blackish legs and feet, and white soles are all strong identifying features.

Even if you have not seen it, I am sure you have heard its distinctive call; either a loud tin trumpet-like pehp, pehp, pehp, repeated up to about 12 times, or a Hoopoe-like toop-toop-toop-toop, with bill pointed downwards, throat inflated, repeated up to 20 times in quick succession (not in short phrases like the Hoopoe), sometimes speeding up towards the end.

This striking little bird is usually seen alone or sometimes in pairs and its flight is fast and direct.

It feeds on fruit, nectar, and certain seedpods, and is known to eat bone fat.

Breeding takes place from August to April. A nest hole is excavated in soft or dead wood, often of willows.
Roberts 6 identifies this bird as the Pied Barbet, and interestingly, the French name for it is “Barbican pie”.

The Swallows have returned and so have the Diedrick Cuckoos. They have both escaped my camera, so far!