Bee-eaters Take 2

I blogged before about the European Bee-Eaters that are so so common around Johannesburg this time of year. They really are a joy to watch soaring and diving after insects in the evenings. I have also managed to get some slightly less fuzzy images than my last attempt, which i thought i'd share:

Greater Striped Swallow

In the summer months there are a large number of swifts and swallows over Johannesburg. Since you generally need pretty good camera equipment (not to mention some skill!) to get decent photographs of these birds I have not really blogged about them much. However I have resolved to attempt to get some decent pics of the various species and add them to my garden birdlist as I confirm their ID's. I'll start with these two snaps of a Greater Stripped Swallow fly by:

The (Not So) Urban Eagle

I love the fact that a number of pairs of Verreaux Eagle's are breeding in the greater Johannesburg area - big thumbs up to the Urban Raptor Conservation Project for keeping an eye on them! I love this pic of an eagle soaring over an urban environment because it represents everything the URCP is striving to achieve:


I did not take it in Johannesburg unfortunately, but in the Karoo town of Graaff-Reinet at the Valley of Desolation. I hope one day it will be possible to take such a photograph in Johannesburg.

Butcher Bird!

The Fiscal Shrike is often referred to as the "Butcher Bird" due to its habit of impaling prey items, usually insects, on thorns. It was interesting to come across a Fiscal Shrike that has obviously developed a taste for reptiles. I counted several reptiles impaled on this thorn tree in Swellendam, Western Cape. The reptiles appeared to be predominately Cape legless lizards. The pics graphically illustrate where the name butcher bird comes from:



Here is the culprit:

December Update

I've been away for a few weeks, so updates on Johannesburg Wildlife & Birding have been a bit slow - Hopefully I'll have some time to blog about a few new things in the coming weeks.

I was super excited the the Jackal vs Vulture shot i blogged about in September won first prize in the Country Life Magazine photo competition. Thanks very much Country Life! This photo has generated quite a lot of interest and also appeared in the UK Daily Mail and the Telegraph amongst others!

Until i start blogging again here are some snaps from my travels around South Africa in the last month:

European Bee-eater

I'm always happy to add a new species to my garden bird list, so i was very happy to snap this European Bee-eater flying over the other day:


That brings my garden list to 44! I have also been hearing the very distictive call of the Red Chested Cuckoo around, but i will resist the urge to add it to the list until i actually see it :)

Rose-Ringed Parakeet

I mentioned in my garden bird list that I have seen Rose-Ringed Parakeets in the garden. These birds are not indigenous to South Africa, but there are extensive colonies of these escapees living and breeding in Johannesburg - I understand they have been present since the 1980's! I have never managed to get a good picture of one here though and usually see them flying over. Last week however I found a young bird with a badly broken wing in the Garden.


Although initially panicked the bird soon settled down on my balcony and even ate the fruit provided. I have taken the little one to FreeMe rehabilitation centre and the vet seems to think the prognosis is good ...