Meyer Farm - Alberton

I spent Saturday morning with Bo and Siggi from the Urban Raptor Conservation Project trying to track down a missing Verreauxs' Eagle. When we arrived early in the morning the female was hunting along the ridge above the farm, but there was unfortunately no sign of the male or youngster. Never-the-less, it was a lovely walk and it never ceases to amaze me that a large raptor can survive in what is essentially suburbia - within sight of the Johannesburg CBD. Below is a snapshot of Black Eagle habitat in Johannesburg!


Although we were unsuccessful in our search, a number of other raptors made an appearance, including a Black Sparrowhawk and a Steppe Buzzard (I also saw a little sparrowhawk in Randburg on my way home!). As always when walking in the African veld there was alot to see, like the tree agama above and this lovely cactus adding a splash of color:

Feeding Update

I blogged previously about offering half apples to the birds in winter. I have noticed that as spring has turned to summer and food is more plentiful, there are fewer and fewer visitors to the feeding station. In fact I have had an apple untouched the whole weekend! Although this guy did come down to have a look he did not touch the food!


I have however converted an empty coke bottle into a seed dispenser, this is very popular with the cape sparrows and weavers, and has even attracted some of the previously rare visitors, such as this Red Bishop:


It has also attracted some unknowns. I initially thought this might be a juvenile Cape or House sparrow, but it is somewhat larger and has a slightly different shape to these. Perhaps a Southern Grey-Headed Sparrow? Can anyone provide an ID?


*Update. Thanks to the folks over at simplybirding for comfirming the ID as a Southern Grey-Headed Sparrow!

Giants Castle - Bald Ibis Sighting

On Heritage Day, Romy and I decided to take a hike up the valley to see the Bushman paintings at the main cave. These were fantastic and are well worth the hike for anyone in the area:


However the highlight for me was the colony of Bald Ibis nesting just around the corner from the cave. these prehistoric looking birds are locally common in the Drakensberg, but are classified as Vulnerable due to their restircted habitat and limited numbers. It really was a privilage getting to see these birds up close and I got some lovely snaps.

Giants Castle - Cape Vultures II

I could not resist one last post on the vultures at Giants Castle - these magnificent birds really where the highlight of the trip, like the one above launching. They are definitely at their majestic best in the air:

Giants Castle - Camp Birds

The camp at Giants Castle really is a birders paradise, especially if you like raptors. In our brief say we had nice sightings of Rufus-Chested Sparrowhawks, Wahlberg's Eagle and elusive Bearded Vulture - none of which I had my camera ready for!

However, the bushes around our chalet presented lots of good birding oportunities too, and I spotted plenty of Bokmakierie, Malachite and Greater Double-collared Sunbird's , Gurney's Sugarbird, the Bar-throated Apalis, Cape Weavers, Cape White-eye and Black-capped bulbul's. Here are some of the most frequent visitors:


Not too forget the ever present ravens and Red-winged starlings: