- low altitude savannah from Eshowe through to Mkuse - Rudd's Apalis;
- tall, lowland forest on dunes or close to the coast such as at Cape Vidal, Umlalazi and Amatikulu - Brown Scrub-Robin;
- riverine forests with dense vegetation along the rivers in Mkuse - Grey Penduline-Tits;
- sand forests in Mkuse and around Nibela Lodge -Pink-throated Twinspot;
- swamp forest at Richards Bay and Mtunzini - Palm-nut Vulture;
- forested slopes of coastal escarpment at Dlinza, Enumeni and Ongoye - Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon (at this stage frustratingly only heard them not seen them as yet);
- coastal grasslands of Cape Vidal, St.Lucia and Amatikulu - Rosy-throated Longclaw;
- coastal wetlands of St.Lucia, Mkuze and Richards Bay;
- exposed, tidal mudflats near the coast of Richards Bay - Greater Sand Plover;
We were out today in the coastal scrap forest around Entumeni and Dreadnaught Farm with Jotham. Forests are always a challenge and no less so today, an Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon was calling but we could not find it high up in the canopy.
The drive out to Dreadnaught Farm was fabulous, rolling sugar-can hills, streams and patches of forest. The sightings along the farm roads gave me great pleasure this morning. Firstly the much sort after Striped Pipit - I must have tried at least 5 outings in Gauteng to get this bird and this morning we saw plenty, surprisingly for me on the forest edges.
The jewel of the drive was an African Pypmy-Kingfisher (at last and not a minute too late either), right next to the road and an easy photo opportunity for Fred.
The two photos below juxtapose for me the experience of birding - one the elusive, secretive Green Malkoha (left) that is a real challenge to see in the canopy as well as to get a reasonable photo. The other the Pin-tailed Whydah who flits about in the grasslands and is most obliging to any photographer and birder.
Just to make sure all my senses are being stimulated we found Cafe Zulu at Georges Hotel in Eshowe for a good cappuccino and a wholesome plate of peri peri chicken livers with homemade health bread. Early night needed to prepare for yet another 4.30am start.
