Author Topic: Birds of South Africa (Read 120440 times)

Offshore · « **Reply #1440 on:** April 11, 2020, 03:44:17 pm »

Can Somebody Identify please?

Neo_za · « **Reply #1441 on:** April 11, 2020, 04:37:28 pm »

Looks like a Cape Sugarbird

dw1 · « **Reply #1442 on:** April 11, 2020, 08:35:16 pm »

Quote from: Offshore on April 11, 2020, 03:44:17 pm

Can Somebody Identify please?

Lots of them there on the Swartberg Pass where you took this shot.

LeonDude · « **Reply #1443 on:** April 11, 2020, 08:36:46 pm »

Quote from: dw1 on April 11, 2020, 08:35:16 pm

Quote from: Offshore on April 11, 2020, 03:44:17 pm
Can Somebody Identify please?

Lots of them there on the Swartberg Pass where you took this shot.

I've only been lucky enough to spot one, once. On Swartberg Pass

Offshore · « **Reply #1444 on:** April 11, 2020, 09:02:41 pm »

Quote from: LeonDude on April 11, 2020, 08:36:46 pm

Quote from: dw1 on April 11, 2020, 08:35:16 pm
Quote from: Offshore on April 11, 2020, 03:44:17 pm
Can Somebody Identify please?

Lots of them there on the Swartberg Pass where you took this shot.
I've only been lucky enough to spot one, once. On Swartberg Pass

And that is exactly where I saw this one, on the way to the Hel on a scorched Suikerbossie after that devastating Fire.

Karel84 · « **Reply #1445 on:** April 22, 2020, 04:37:11 pm »

Moved to a new house and have about five or six pairs of these beauties around. Excuse the really poor quality pic, taken with my phone a few minutes ago

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blockheadxl650v · « **Reply #1446 on:** April 22, 2020, 05:14:16 pm »

nice. What bird is that?

frankmac · « **Reply #1447 on:** April 22, 2020, 07:49:49 pm »

Trumpeter hornbill.

They start gathering in large flocks this time of the year.

Zanie · « **Reply #1448 on:** April 22, 2020, 08:02:10 pm »

Quote from: blockheadxl650v on April 22, 2020, 05:14:16 pm

nice. What bird is that?

A noisy one...

RobLH · « **Reply #1449 on:** April 22, 2020, 10:05:09 pm »

Anyone doing the Lockdown Birding Challenge on BirdLasser?

Zanie · « **Reply #1450 on:** April 22, 2020, 10:12:12 pm »

Nope. I haven't heard of it. Tell us more. It sounds intriguing.

RobLH · « **Reply #1451 on:** April 22, 2020, 10:23:05 pm »

It’s basically a (personal) challenge to see how many species you can see, or hear, from your lockdown location.

Download the BirdLasser app, go the the play section, scroll down and join the lockdown challenge. The birds you identify during the lockdown period will be tallied and you can see where you stand against others if you like (although the guys on reserves and farms are killing it in comparison).

Good fun - I’m on 81 after thinking 40ish would be my limit. Amazing what is out there with a bit of time and patience.

RobLH · « **Reply #1452 on:** April 22, 2020, 10:24:18 pm »

Top 6 earlier today

Zanie · « **Reply #1453 on:** April 22, 2020, 10:32:26 pm »

I've just had a trawl on their website. It looks like a great App. Thanks for the heads-up! I know what I'll be doing tomorrow. Probably just recording wagtails, hadedas, gulls, starlings and sparrows...

dw1 · « **Reply #1454 on:** April 23, 2020, 11:26:33 am »

the leaders live on Game farms in MP and L so easy for them to spot so many different species

RobLH · « **Reply #1455 on:** April 23, 2020, 03:53:58 pm »

Quote from: dw1 on April 23, 2020, 11:26:33 am

the leaders live on Game farms in MP and L so easy for them to spot so many different species

Six of the top 9 are on a reserve in Zululand, one is based in Orpen, KNP and the others look like they're in the lowveld too.

Doesn't really matter, that is their good luck. For me it's more of a personal challenge, picking up as many species in my limited confines. I've had some amazing sightings of Blue-mantled Crested-Flycatcher that have been way better than logging up 50 extra species, in my books. I'm in the early 80's after thinking I would struggle to get to 50.

It's all a bit of fun to pass the time.

Karel84 · « **Reply #1456 on:** April 23, 2020, 05:51:56 pm »

Question here from an absolute newby... How do you guys identify birds not known to you? Is there a type of database one could look through?

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Zanie · « **Reply #1457 on:** April 23, 2020, 06:08:25 pm »

You will need a bird ID app. I have old-school binocs and a bird book, but perhaps the clued-up set can advise as to the best (free or paid for) app.

Zanie · « **Reply #1458 on:** April 23, 2020, 06:20:51 pm »

So guess who was my first Birdlasser sighting? The infamous hadeda. At least our local rock kestrel came to say high. He likes hanging out above our one window; eating his favourite take-out meal. Today he flew away before I could take a picture. I think he had a gecko or lizard this time. I managed some snaps on other days when the course was mouse or baby bird.

Neo_za · « **Reply #1459 on:** April 23, 2020, 07:16:16 pm »

all i am seeing lately is mossies, hadida's and doves. I need to get out soon and do some proper birding again. My garden is a dead spot it seems.