SANParks.org Forums

Hi Guys, 5 of us are visiting KNP in 15 weeks (and counting!!) and I was wondering if the CP-thrush has been seen recently and if so, whereabouts exactly.

Any info gratefully received.

Many thanks,
Chris

www.iombirding.co.uk

Hi Chris,
I stayed in Shingwedzi for a few nights mid-June. Spoke to Phanny, he's the 'birdguide' for Shingwedzi and has followed the Palm-thrush's movements closely.
According to him the last time it was seen/heard that he has knowledge of was in August 2008. We also didn't hear or see anything during our stay. Good luck.

Cheers Johann, I suppose it was too much to hope for really. Still, there's going to be plenty to keep us occupied!

Well by the time you are going lots of migrants will have pitched up and birding should be good around camp and on the Kanniedood dam drive.

Ask for Phanny at the shop. You can have a look for yourself though at the gate leading to the staff village on the south side of camp. It has been seen foraging around the gate area and fence in the mornings between 6 & 7 in the past. There's some staff housing to your left and we found it here between the houses in January 2008 (just check with the staff first, this area's not really open to the public). The bird tends to move between the veld and the camp during the seasons. Maybe you're lucky and it has returned. Good luck.

Wow- This Would be a realy nice tick to get! Please keep us updated Chris!

I read up in a book somehwere that these birds where only a vagrant species to the camp...But now it says they are a fairly common bird in the camp...very interesting

Two years ago we were at Shingwedzi and the Collared palm-thrush
were still there - but sadly we didn't get to see them. Phaanie was away
at the time so couldn't show us where they were.

We are going to be at Shingwedzi again at the beginning of April.

Does anyone know if the CPT are still there or have they disappeared from the scene?

I would love some feed back please!!

Hi Pooky!

I saw at least 2 individuals in Dec 2005. They respond very well to any kind of mimmick. I saw them between the staff accomodation and the staff exit gate in the vicinity of the camp site. We went there without asking and met an unhappy local for going to close to the houses. When we said we were looking for the CPT, they said oh no problem then and assisted us in locating it.
We were told that there were only males present in the population. Subsequently I have heard they are no longer there but this may not be the case. I don't know what their status is and as just about the only population in South Africa I am surprised we don't hear more about them!
Good luck in searching and my suggestions is ask the person who works at the back of the shop in the office if you can have a look. The lady seemed to be the camp manager.

Hi Pooky

We last saw them in February 2007. Phanny Risimati is now a qualified guide with Birdlife South Africa based a Shingwedzi camp and he is always available to help locate the Collared-Palm Thrush. If you want to confirm that they are still there perhaps you can contact the West Rand Honorary rangers - they have just had their annual Birding Weekends and if it's around they definately would have seen it!

O-Dog is correct with he location - they are found in the bushes near the staff gate (no exit for tourists) or around the camp site & staff houses.

Good luck and keep us posted as to wether it is still there or not!

o-dog Thank you for the info. I do hope they are still there but - as you say -very little has been written about them recently. I did read somewhere that they were now at Sirheni camp - but I cant find where and that was early this year.

Jen So glad to hear Phaanie is a recognised bird guide now - I had heard
he was very good and keen.

Do you have an email address for the West Rand Honorary Rangers or can I contact them thru the forum?

Thank you both for your help and I will certainly keep you posted!!

We had a number of very knowledgeable birders at Sirheni over the first weekend of this month for the BBW and a collared palm-thrush did not feature on any of the lists that I saw, in spite of extensive in-camp birding.

Here you go.
Honorary Rangers - West Rand

Johan - thank you for that information. It, sadly. looks as if the CPT
have been lost to KNP. What a pity.

JenB - thank you for the email addresses etc. I have emailed the
WRHR and am eagerly waiting a reply - but unfortunately it doesn't
sound to positive.

Any updates??????

Yea, it would be interesting to see if someone has sighted them rescently