The next trip was with Mark and Theresa Stanley.

We set off from Johannesburg on the 25th of February to the Northern sites. We were hampered by strong unseasonal winds, which scuppered most mist-netting activities. We only managed 109 birds of 62 species, including 46 raptors of 16 species. 

African Hawk Eagle x 2

Brown Snake-eagle x 3

Black-chested Snake-eagle x 5

Wahlberg's Eagle x 3

Long-crested Eagle x 1

Lizard Buzzard x 1

Steppe Buzzard x 13

Jackal Buzzard  x 2

Lanner x 1

Gabar Goshawk x 3

Pale-Chanting Goshawk x 2

Dark-chanting Goshawk x 2

Shikra x 1

Rock Kestrel x 

Amur Falcon x 1

African Wood Owl x 1

Pearl-spotted Owlet x 1 retrap 

Some of the highlights were finding a 3rd year Martial Eagle on a pole which we dropped for, but alas, no interest. They can be fairly straightforward to catch at times, but then again often un responsive to traps. Anyway, it raised the heart rate whilst we waited!

At our site in Mapungubwe NP, we had dropped a trap for a Wahlberg's Eagle and whilst waiting, watched a mixed flock of Meve's and Greater Blue-eared Starlings along with Grey Go-away birds, making a huge cacophony near the trap. Thinking it was a snake, I decided to go pick the trap up, just as a Leopard ran across the track next to it! The big cat had been watching us all along!

We also had great views of a pair of Bat-eared Foxes during the day.

We witnessed a kettle of some 70 Steppe Buzzards overhead at the highland forest site, this is not the first time Ive seen this hear, but interesting to see such migrating concentrations on the wintering grounds. Seeing a Sooty Falcon flying over the lowveld site was a treat, quite a rarity for South Africa, and the 2nd one Ive seen at this site!

Lilac-breasted Roller

Lesser-grey Shrike

Juv Gabar Goshawk

adult Steppe Buzzard

adult African Hawk Eagle

black morph Gabar Goshawk

Wahlberg's Eagle

adult Brown Snake Eagle

immature African Wood Owl

adult Wahlberg's Eagle

adult male Fiery-necked Nightjar

adult male Rock Kestrel 

Juv Lanner