Starlings, Shrikes and Rollers. KNP Jan to March 21

[RichardJ]

Following on from our recent trip to KTP

Faces of the Kgalagadi - December 2020

and our retirement tour

The Circle of Life - retirement tour 2019

Our dream of spending lots of time in our parks, further became reality thanks to the "long term camping discount" offered, and provided us with an ideal opportunity to visit Kruger.

Birding had become a new focus for us, animals seen whilst looking for birds were a bonus.

Every second bird we saw was either a Starling, Shrike or Roller .... thankfully a great variety was seen in between.

My approach to keeping a Life List is to have photo proof of each bird.

Therefore, as a starting point, I hoped to get pics of those I was short of, namely:

Scarlet-chested Sunbird. We had seen one in passing in Kruger.

Violet-backed Starling. Had blurry distant record pic.

African Green Pigeon. Saw some many years ago just after entering the S28 from Crocodile Bridge. Lots of searching but could not find the pics.

Glossy Ibis. No pics surely everybody has seen them....

Long Crested Eagle. Seen one outside Nelspruit, but couldn't stop.

As a relative 'newbie' to birding I have lots of opportunity to add to my list.

[RichardJ]

The report may follow haphazard highlights from the different camps.
We were booked at Malelane, Berg-en-dal, Satara, Maroela, Satara and Crocodile Bridge.

Booked does not always equal reality.

I had read warnings about the extremely hot weather for that time of the year in Kruger. As it turned out only about 6 days were hotter in Kruger than it was at home, so it was actually an escape.

[RichardJ]

11 Jan 21 we hit the road as early as we could, taking curfew times into account.

Our target was to get to Bloemfontein before the curfew and get into Mpumalanga by the next day.
A family meeting would be held on the 11th and if Provincial borders were closed, I wanted to be in MP.

Our customary pic, about to leave.



With the limited time, breaks were kept to a minimum and I drove a little bit quicker than normal whilst towing. Fuel consumption suffered, so long distance tanks were useful.

Driving into the rising sun.



Sunny through the Karoo



A sign of things to come....rain, rain and more rain



We made Bloemfontein with an hour to spare to get something to eat.

[RichardJ]

I took note of the Family Meeting adjustments. We had had warnings that strict lockdowns would be announced. Yes they were tightened again but would not affect our plans.

Passing under the bridges in the Free State, we have always noticed a hive of activity by Swallows and Swifts. We tried taking pics as we passed through to maybe id them. White rumped something or other is the best we could do....



I did see, and added to my ‘need-a-pic’ list Yellow-crowned Bishop and Long-tailed Widowbirds along the Free State grasslands.

[RichardJ]

The Lowveld, getting closer to our planned overnight stop, is re-invigorating, I love the vegetation, mountains, streams and waterfalls....



The turnoff came up, slightly water eroded gravel road took us across the Crocodile River and then onto the ‘resort’.

Took it slowly.

[RichardJ]

And then we were there. On the property winding down to Reception and campsite...heaven



Te ‘resort’ overlooks the Crocodile River



There are 6 camp sites with private ablutions. A number of different types and prices of cabins etc.

[RichardJ]

I took an evening walk around the property.

Early up I found a Yellow-breasted Apalis, a Lifer
caught supper, moving so a little blurred, sadly

[RichardJ]

a common’ish bird a Kurrichane Thrush



across the river a young Malachite Kingfisher. A little confusing with the white blotches on forehead and the black bill.

[RichardJ]

I claimed this bird as a Square-tailed Drongo ..... but when I found Southern Black Flycatchers in Kruger, I re-looked and corrected my id.

[RichardJ]

Before leaving the next morning I did another walk about.
Found a Pineapple plant? Rather thin fruit!



some movement in the top of the trees, difficult to get a decent shot. (another bird I would like a decent pic of) ... Purple-crested Turaco

[RichardJ]

Some distant birds. Did not know what they were, other than they looked different



then one appeared rather red'ish. Later realised that they were Violet-backed Starlings... but sadly still not decent pics

[RichardJ]

Then up near the gate, sunbird activity. Another Lifer Amethyst Sunbirds.







In the riverine bush a colourfull White-browed Robin Chat.



Breakfast caught... a Dark-capped Bulbul



and some more ...

[RichardJ]

A number of other birds were seen and photographed but not great standard and common birds.

In the reception hut the walls are full of stunning bird pics. A birder had visited for a long weekend and photographed and recorded over 200 birds on the property and given the owner prints.

And it was time to head off for the final 80 odd kms to Malelane Gate.

Taking it slowly down to the river crossing, a fluttering over the fence...

A Long-tailed Paradise Whydah. A bird high up on my wish list.... another Lifer (without a pic)
my euphoria was short lived as a Taxi hooted behind me.... I had not noticed him...

A quick early morning drive around Nelspruit and we were at KRUGER....

[RichardJ]

Entry into the park was quick and efficient, despite the additional checks.

We were planning to try a few 'new' camps (that we had not camped at).

Malelane satellite camp was booked as our entry camp as we may have arrived late. Thanks to being in the park by about 9h00 we decided to head directly to Berg-en-Dal. We would have to try Malelane camp in the future.

We were also booked at Pretoriuskop for 5 nights then a night in Satara on our way to Maroela then back to Satara and out at Crocodile Bridge. 65 nights for this trip.

Reception did not understand my saying that there should not be an extra charge, Supervisor reluctantly let it go. What I learnt is that the Long-term camping must be made and adjusted via Trade Reservations.

[RichardJ]

These strange animals were the first that came across. These darker variety are the first that we have seen in the 'wild'.