SANParks.org Forums

Hi Everyone,

I am busy working on the trends and breeding success of all the raptor species in the park for EWT (Endangered Wildlife Trust). If anyone can help with interesting sightings/photographs and nest locations it would be a great help and much appreciated.

Hope you are as excited as me for the soon to arrive migrants .

Nossob regards,
Madel

@Madel,

Welcome to the forum, glad to see you got posted.

MODS, can we please have this thread as a STICKY it is ongoing research which will benefit SANParks and EWT and the request is that we would like the thread to stay in one place on the Arid parks forum.

Come on all you birders let’s start getting all our interesting raptor pictures and sightings through to Madel we can all make a huge difference in this research


KG

Helo Very welcome to the forum.
I love birds of prey alot so i pay spesial attention to anything regarding them.

I can give you a few nesting/breeding spots!!
1. The Martial eagle at TR-just were the Rooiputs road joins the big main road on your way to TR.
While we where at rooiputs I saw these raptors-The nest is in the same tree as a Sosiable weaver nest-there is also a chick inside.
1. 2 Tawny eagles at the rooiputs watering hole-i didn't see a nest but the were action very teritorial and looked like a mating pair.
2. A pair of black shoulder kite were also in the area mating and the male would sit in a tree and "vertoon" his tail standing up and his wings by his sides.
3.And just about a kilometer or so up towards nossob from rooiputs in the river bed there are secratary birds making a nest and mating,there is also a pair just before TR.
4.I also know about the Martial eagle on a nest in the Mata-Mata area-I think its just before or just after veertiende boorgat.

Hope it is helpfull

I have also seen a Barn owl and i heard it constantly at night-sorry no nest or mate spotted.

Hope everything goes well

We are going in Desember and then we're staying at nossob and mata mata...i will let you know of all the sightings then!!

PS*i have a few photos i will post them ASAP

BG

Verreuaux's eagle owl - juvenile seen around the gate at 2R towards evening. His parents must be around.

Also spotted eagle owls seen on chalet roofs at 2R.

I know of a Martial eagle nest 900m south of the burnt out weavers nest (in the mini loop) south of Montrose, in a large tree in the middle of the riverbed. We have seen activity in the nest for the last 18 months

Here is a proof pic:

In December/Jan 2011 a pair of Jackal Buzzards were seen just before Leeudril (near the old 'Skiddy Corner'). One of the Jackal Buzzards was a normal Rufous chested bird, the other had a White chest. Other forumites have also seen them in the same area.

A pic for proof:

We saw this rather tatty [?a juvenile] looking Augur buzzard at Nossob in March - outside its normal range, according to Roberts.

IMG_7292 by jansp, on Flickr

@ granjan: I stand under correction but i am almost sure that your sighting was a Jackal Buzzard. on this side of the world the species tend to be a little more lighter than the eastern side of the country. I sighted a very pale juvenile morph at Cubetjie Quap this winter

The breeding season is over and so far the raptors have been a bit quiet, but we are hoping for rain. I am sure we'll find more out of the ordinary sightings.

Not raptor related: We spotted a Yellow Wagtail in our garden at Nossob on the 16th of November and yesterday morning (28th) a possible Black-crowned Night Heron.

Happy birding everyone

Wow!! Madel the birds in your area does not read the book!!! Thanks for keeping us updated!!

Btw... Welcome to the forum!! I only saw your posts now!!

I would love to hear about your "specials even if they are not raptors!! Keep up the good work!!

Martial eagle parent and chick in the same nest referred to in previous posts, seen Sept 7-14th 2011








Black shouldered kite, seen in a tree just outside TR camp, every day Sept 7th -14th 2011.

Thanks to all for your contributions so far.

Not raptor related news: We saw 4 Pied Avocets this morning at Kaspersdraai and a Woolly-necked Stork at Dikbaardskolk picnic site. Cape Teals have also been spotted at Bedinkt.

The park had lovely rain in the last week, so all the migrants will appear soon I'm sure. Will keep you guys posted.

Nossob regards,
Madel

Hi Madel,
Welcome at the Forum Nice to have you with us

Although Mads and I gave you all our info when we visited in April 2011, I am going to follow this thread regularly. Interesting to hear about your "unusual migrants" in the garden.

Love
Rina

Nice to meet you last week Madel, although we didn't exchange names as you prepared to take out the night ride of 2!

I have a few raptor pics from the trip and will share them when I get a bit organised.

Hi BB, I think you might have confused me with someone else. I'm not doing the game drives at Nossob. However there is Melissa (who is on leave at the moment) and Carolyn (that is a student from Eco-training).

Looking forward to seeing your pics though! Hope you had a good time in the park.

@ Wanderw, it is very interesting to see the pale morph of the Jackal Buzzard. They are very common around here , but I have never seen a white breasted one.Thanks for posting