January 30 saw me set out on my first twitch – to Strandfontein in search of a recently reported rarity, a Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava). Last year I missed the Wilson’s Phalarope–it left before I could find the time to see it–soI was eager to try my luck at Strandfontein.
I left late in the afternoon after work & the bird’s location was easily found–just look for the cluster of birders staring out over the pan. Unfortunately, the group had last seen the bird 10 minutes before I arrived & despite searching until the sun began to set I was not able to find it. Nevertheless, it was a good trip. Strandfontein is always productive & I was even able to add 3 new birds to my life list: African Marsh Harrier (Circus ranivorus) and Hottentot Teal (Anas hottentota). On the way in I had wonderful views of a pair of Spotted Dikkop [Thick-knee] (Burhinus capensis) with a young chick right by the edge of the road:
Other sightings included one of my favourite birds, Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus):
This brief visit produced 37 species. I also met Trevor & Margaret Hardaker. Trevor is a bit of a birding guru & I had been enjoying the pictures and trip-reports on his website for a while.
3 days later I headed back for a second go. It was a Saturday, so I left earlier than my last try. I spoke to a number of birds driving around the site and no one had spotted the Wagtail that day. After about 40 mins of searching I was driving & spotted a flash of yellow. Could it be? Yes!! The Wagtail!! I yelled out to a birder 100m or so away whom I’d just spoken with & he managed to get a glimpse of it before it flew away (not however, before I managed to snap a picture–possibly the worst picture of a Yellow Wagtail ever!–look for the dark blotch perched on a rock right in the centre of the photo):
Luckily we were able to relocate the bird without much difficulty & were able to get good views (and an OK, but not great photo):
There were plenty of other birds around–38 species in total including lots of obliging Barn Swallows (Hirundo Rustica):
On the way out I came across a mass of swallows & swifts feeding on insects:
I can see how this twitching business could become addictive! For better pictures of the Yellow wagtail, see Trevor Hardaker’s photo here.
Your readers may be interested in nameaspecies.com, where you can have a newly described species named after you or a loved one, while supporting scientific research in the process. Contact me and I’ll send you the full press kit. Cheers!