A few recent birding safaris have produced a number of good birds. Below are just some of the species that were seen and photographed.

Many of these species can be seen on birding day trips from the Outlook Lodge, but doing a specialised Kruger Park Birding Safari will produce many more species, ranging from the small Grey Penduline Tit, to the large Lappet-faced Vulture and almost everything inbetween.

Little Swifts are common throughout South Africa and especially like nesting under bridges. In the Kruger Park these birds can be seen nesting under most bridges, but the Olifants River Bridge is one of the better places to photograph them from.

Please note this is a lengthy report, but not detailed.

Day 1
Our first day took us directly to the Phalaborwa Gate where we were to enter the park. Upon entering the park we were entertained by a Lesser Masked Weaver who didn’t like the intruding male whom he could see in my bull-bar.

At the entrance gate we also saw many Diderick’s Cuckoos chance their luck at laying eggs in the weaver nests.
From the gate we went via Sable Dam and found an African Hoopoe feeding its young through a hole in the ground. This was the first time I had seen a nest in the ground, although, Robert’s does say they will nest in holes in the ground as well as termite mounds.

South African National Parks (SANParks) announced today that while on patrol in the early evening of 21 November 2010 rangers from the Kruger National Park (KNP) fatally wounded a suspected poacher inside the park.
According to the SANParks Head of Communications, Wanda Mkutshulwa, the rangers were patrolling in the Houtbosrand section of the park, in the eastern border with Mozambique, when they came across three suspected poachers who opened fire on the rangers. The SANParks rangers returned fire and one of the suspects was wounded, while other two escaped.
Efforts to revive the suspect before medical help arrived were unfortunately unsuccessful.
The other two are still at large. The police and rangers have been following their spore. Investigations are continuing.
A rhino carcass was found in an area near the scene but it is unclear at this stage if this is related to the spotted suspects.

Enquire NOW! safaris@outlook.co.za