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I got a lifer in a whip-snap whopper of a view of a pair of Orange River Francolin, Francolinus levaillantoides, this morning at the road from Leeupan to Kinross. JoelR posted somewhere that they had had some crackling views and I was wondering if he’d been smoking funny things… This is not really in the birds’ distribution range! Anyhow… someone else also mentioned having seen them in the same area, so I started paying attention!


Large view

You don’t often get to tick a lifer AND enjoy such close-ups!!

Also would be a lifer for me..... Lucky, Well Spotted!!.....Leeupan seems to have all the birds I need to see, just not as many as WSBG

You still don't know if I am smoking funny things.

Congrats Johan! I don't think it's way out of the known distribution range. As you might know the agricultural fields in front of the Suikerbosrand NR entrance have a fair amount of Orange-river Francolin. That terrain is ather similar to the Leeupan area and it's not even that far away.

I never said "way out". I know that you get them near Suikerbosrand NR... I dipped on them there a few times, including once with Bush Baptist in tow as the dipping witness! According to every guide book I own AND my fat ol' Roberts VII, Suikerbosrand NR is about as north-east as they get! I agree 100% on the habitat similarities... but I think the 140 km distance does represent some range expansion.

I never said YOU said "way out", I just said I think it is not "way out". And yes, 140km is quite "a stroll"! Main thing is that we both got an awesome sighting of "the birds", don't you agree, "JvR"?

I agree whole-heartedly. It was probably the BEST start to a working day I've had in yonks!!

Although none of the distribution maps show Leeupan / Leandra included in the shaded area indicating this bird's distribution range, Roberts VII does include reference to the south-western parts of the Mpumalanga highveld. Our winter has been extraordinarily dry and this slight expansion may be partly due to that. Although Roberts VII also says that no evidence is available to indicate even nomadic seasonal movement, ORF are that much area-bound!

Heard these stunning birds call this morning just outside of Devon on my way to Leandra and Secunda.

and managed these shots...

Super photos Yolandé

You have time to fit in some work today?

Great Yolande..... .....Still yet to see one of these guys!

For those who need these beauties on their list: they are plentiful at Abe Bailey Nature Reserve!! I yesterday sat watching 4 of them, calling and running around, when yet another group deeper in the veld started calling!

Odd thing though: every now and again, while calling, they would give this 'confused' call, sounding something between an ORF & Shelley's call??? Why would that be?? Specifically one of them, the one posted here calling - he sounded much more like a Shelley's....

Here is some photo's

Great Stuff Yolande

Seen at Rietvlei