...a confiding garden bird here in Johannesburg, I have noticed the
Fiscal Flycatchers in my garden this year...
Seeing that we were home this weekend it was time to tackle some of the winter migrants to Gauteng. The target was the diminutive Fairy Flycatcher which comes to us from the Karoo. I dipped into Etienne and Faansie's book 'Birding Gauteng' which gives really good insight into where one has the best chance of seeing these beautiful birds.
So early Saturday morning I dragged Fred off, with the promise of being back for a mid-morning rugby game, to the gardens of the Voortrekker Monument on the outskirts of Pretoria. It was certainly one of my more bizarre birding attempts, we arrived along with 100's of runners, live bands, spectators and the intercom system blaring out instructions and encouragement to the runners. Needless to say, no Flycatcher.
Sunday, along with a still rather reluctant Fred, was the next attempt this time at Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, which is a special place of Highveld grasslands, rolling hills and rocky outcrops south of Johannesburg. We particularly love the cabbage trees dotted around the grasslands - or Kiepersols as they are also called. Our 10 kilometer hike through the reserve was a treat and very good training to get me fitter for our planned walk in Spain next year. Also had good views of another winter migrant, the Sentinel Rock-Thrush, along the trail.
Our early morning drive was very successful, great views of Red-winged Francolins calling from a rocky knoll and then quickly disappearing into the grass.
Further down the road, along a burnt grass verge, we had our first views of
Grey-winged Francolins
for the year.
A group of about 10 birds were moving quickly away from us and I needed to make sure they were the Grey-winged, so much panic to get ahead of them and confirm the black and white neck pattern before they disappeared over the hill. Much fist pumping when I confirmed the sighting. Suikerbosrand is about the only place to find Grey-winged in the greater Gauteng region too, so an important tick for the year.
The Fairy Flycatcher was also added to the list just before we started our hike and I noted that we had first seen the bird at the same picnic spot in 1998!
I have just finished reading Sean Dooley's book 'The Big Twitch' about his record breaking big year in Australia, loved his quirky humour and dedication.
Certainly has hardened my resolve and I have been booking trips, just confirmed access to the Bearded Vulture Hide at Giant's Castle for September seeing that I dipped on this bird in June because of the howling winds around the Sentinal. Holding thumbs, cannot do a Big Year and miss this amazing vulture.
for the year. 
