Birding in Gauteng 2nd - 8th October

During the first week of October I treated myself to some birding in Gauteng, and went to watch the musical CATS. I was very surprised to find such amazing birding destinations in and around Pretoria. I was looked after by fantastic people who were very happy to drive me all over the place, while we atlased about ten pentads.

Crowned Plover egg

Spotted Thick-knee eggs

Some of the places where I atlased were Roodeplaat, Rust de Winter, Northern Farm where Ernst and I saw a stunning Half-collared Kingfisher, Ernst had the pleasure of seeing his first Red-chested Flufftail. We also went to Vaalkop and Rietvlei Dam. I got five lifers on the trip, Ovambo Sparrowhawk, Black-chested Prinia, Red-headed Finch, Marsh Warbler and Barrow's Korhaan.

Where ever we went our little feathered friends were either sitting on eggs, setting up home, building nests or raising chicks, here are just some of my happy memories of a wonderful trip.

Scaly-feathered Finch nest

Cape Wagtail Chicks

I would like to thank Ernst and his family for accommodating me, for driving me around to all those amazing places that we atlased. To Andre for fetching, carrying, feeding and making sure that I arrived safely at the airport in time to fly back home to work!!! And John Bannon for spending his last day in SA driving me around his precious patch........Rhenosterspruit. Thank you all very much, my time was precious.