September 2021 – Birds are our Story

Kruger and Limpopo – Part 1

Published on September 28, 2021September 28, 2021 by Paul Bartho1 Comment

27th July to 24th August 2021

August and September are not the best months to go birding but we needed to get away and test our new caravan. The weather was variable – and mostly cool to cold with a few days of T-shirt weather – also not good for birding. However we made the best of it and enjoyed our time up north especially in the Limpopo region outside of the Kruger NP.

After struggling to find places to camp in the Kruger, we eventually found 3 nights in Crocodile Bridge, 2 nights in Satara, 4 nights in Shingwedzi followed by 2 nights in Tsendze. It had to be in that order for only those nights at each of those camps as the park was full. It was the only sequence available. We had hoped to stay longer but unusually even Punda Maria was full.

With that booked we then made a plan to see other places in Limpopo. Leaving Tsendze we headed north for Nthakeni Bush and River Camp (just outside the Pafuri gate) spending 3 nights there, followed by 3 nights at Tshipise (to the west) to replenish food stocks and to see “The Big Tree” – Sagole Baobab (second largest tree by girth in the world) – absolutely impressive. A must see if you are in the area.

From Tshipise we headed west for a little known place on the Limpopo River past Alldays – Boelamien River Camp. 3 nights there then 3 nights at Blouberg Nature Reserve, followed by 4 nights at Mapungubwe National Park, and 2 nights at a campsite in Dinokeng – Thorn Tree Bushcamp – just north of Pretoria before heading home.

Part 1. The Kruger

27th July to 10th August 2021

A long drive to Crocodile Bridge in the Kruger NP – just over 9 hours, we arrived in time to set up camp and go for a short late afternoon drive. Three nights there meant we had only two full days to explore the vicinity round the camp and explore further afield – the S25 following the Crocodile River towards Malelane, north to Skukuza, Lower Sabie and as far north as Tshokwane.

We had sightings of Cheetah and Leopards before we eventually saw a Lion. Elephants abound and Buffalo present. No Rhinos seen however.

Our campsite and typical scenery.

Sunset Dam nearby Lower Sabie Camp is a “must” visit. There is always activity there of some sort. Crocodiles and Hippos in the water or lying on the banks. Birds on the banks and in the dead trees in the Dam.

Our interest was more focused on birds and keeping away from other people. In all we identified 121 different bird species . Here are some of the animals and birds that we photographed.

Wandering around the camp looking over the fence towards the Crocodile River we noticed a Saddle-billed Stork behaving like a Black Heron – casting its wings forward creating a shadowed area over the water ahead. It walked back and forth repeating this manoeuvre.

Another sighting was good to see. It involved a Burchell’s Zebra behaving quite wildly – as they do – kicking madly at other Zebras while rolling on its back. Dust flying everywhere. Perhaps that is what they do to dust their backs?

From Crocodile Bridge we headed to Satara for 2 nights. Only one full day there.

A wasted trip to the Sweni Hide:

Only green Crocodiles seen here – downstream

Sightings were quiet – both animals and birds. I think we only managed to see about 70 different species of birds. Here are some of them:

From Satara we headed north to Shingwedzi for 4 nights – three full days.

Despite being at Shingwedzi for three full days, our bird list was only about 90 species.

Once we left Satara, Buffalo and Elephant were plentiful and they were the only two of the “Big Five” that we saw during the rest of our time in the Kruger. I lie – we did see one majestic Lion. We spent a little more time taking photos of animals that we saw. Here are those that we photographed:

On one drive we saw movement in the bush beside us – about 10 metres in. What was that we thought. Initial impression was a Grey Duiker. Back we went to get a decent look. Fortunately the animal did not immediately run away – as they normally do. There it was – I think I can safely say that this was the first time either of us had ever seen one.

Birds in the area:

Interesting geology in the area. Go to Red Rocks to see what I mean.

For a long time until quite recently our bogie bird was the Coqui Francolin. This visit to the Kruger was different as we saw it in several places. One instance was right in the road in front of us. A male on the left side and a female crossing over to join him.

From Shingwedzi we back-tracked to probably our favourite camps in the Kruger – Tsendze Rustic Camp. Right next to the Mooi Plaas picnic site. The camp has no other accommodation other than camp sites with no power. It is a well shaded campsite with many fully grown trees. It is managed by Elena and Rodgers – superb hosts.

It is also known for its Owls and Owlets. We have seen African Scops Owl, Pearl-spotted Owlet, African Barred Owlet, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl either in the camp or next door in the Mooiplaas picnic site. This time we added one more – the African Wood-Owl. Sitting above our heads as we washed our dishes in the wash-up area – pointed out to us by Elena who had remembered our interest for birds from previous visits.

We listened to the African Scops Owl all night each night, we heard the Verreaux’s Eagle Owl as well as the African Barred Owlet. The African Wood-Owl was silent but present.

There are several areas around Tsendze which we always enjoy visiting. The low level bridge on the way to the Shipandani Hide and the Pioneer Dam at Mopani. Several spots on the H14 to Phalaborwa. And the Mooiplaas waterhole on the S49.

Amazingly we managed to visit all of these areas in the short time we were there. We did make a point of getting there early and setting up camp by lunchtime.

The low level bridge on the way to Pioneers dam was bird busy as usual. Black Crakes (frequently seen there) a Hamerkop and a Striated Heron were the main entertainers. A juvenile Blacksmith Lapwing chased the Striated Heron to the Hamerkop which faced off against each other in a friendly sort of way.

Immediately after the bridge is the Shipandani Overnight Hide overlooking this portion of the Tsendse River. As we approached the hide three Klipspringers blocked our path. Not what we expected to see so low down from their normal habitt on top of cliffs. s

The Mooiplaas Waterhole is often busy with Elephant drinking and others like the Blue Wildebeest slating their thirst or hanging around. However one of the birds we look for there is the Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark.

At the start of the H14 tar road heading south-west to Phalaborwa we have usually encountered an abundance of Hyenas and their pups every time we have driven it. Again we saw several groups of Hyenas hanging around the culverts.

The Magpie Shrikes serenaded us as we drove. We then came across an obliging male Double-banded Sandgrouse which stayed by the road as its partner disappeared into the bush.

After a little while we came to the low level bridge across the Letaba River. Fortunately there are lay byes halfway across the bridge where one can park and look around. We must have spent at least an hour here and not only saw a goodly number of birds but we also listened to a Lion roaring from time to time in the veldt on the other side of the bridge. We looked for him along the river bank but he was moving about in the bush.

One of the special birds we saw by chance:

After an hour or more there, we headed for the 2 short loops on the left after the Shivulani Lookout point. The loops took us down beside the river with some slow moving shallow water.

However just after leaving the bridge we noticed an animal as it just entered the scrub on the left as we approached. Not thinking much of it we cruised up alongside it – only to discover it was a male Lion lying on the verge. What a male! All on our own, we stopped beside it and enjoyed its company and its shaggy hairstyle.

Eventually we arrived at the loop roads. A little spur off to one side provided an ideal place for a cup of tea and biscuits. The previous time we had seen several hyenas lolling about in the water. Not so fortunate this time. But we did see a pair of African Pied Wagtails trolling the shallow river.

On the second loop there is a lookout point high over the river. From here we admired the antics of a Honey Badger looking presumably for ants around the base of several trees. At one a Groundscraper Thrush joined him for a snack.

Sadly we had to leave Tsendze after 2 nights. Nthakeni Bush and River Camp beckoned us. Another one of our favourite camps in the area.

Nthakeni Bush and River Camp is only 5 kms outside the Pafuri Gate situated on the Mutale River with vegetation similar to the Pafuri Picnic site. It is run by Annelize and Kobus who cannot do enough for you.

On the way to the Camp you cross a low lying bridge over the Mutale River. The locals can be seen doing their laundry.

Nthakeni Camp has cottages and campsites, a pool and a clubhouse with an honesty bar. The campsites each have their own ablution and kitchen facilities.

There are also a couple of trails well laid out and kept in good condition. They meander through the bush, close to the massive Baobabs, past the Baobab campsites, alongside the river and up the hills for a scenic view.

When we tried to book for our first night (of 3) nights they had no campsites available. However they offered us a cottage for that night and asked us to pay what we could afford. The cottage was close to and facing the Mutale river.

Our Campsite for the next 2 nights and its view.

It takes less than half an hour to get into the Kruger through the Pafuri entrance gate and down to the birding area of the Pafuri bridge, picnic site and Crooks’ Corner. Excellent for the birding we wished to do there.

Two mornings were spent visiting the Pafuri area. Back midday to enjoy the campsite. Our last morning we walked one of the Nthakeni trails and had good sightings of the abundant bird species. Here are some of the photos we took of birds around the camp.

As with the rest of the Kruger our birding was also quiet in the Pafuri region but we did have a couple of special sightings.

As we neared the bridge from the picnic site we noticed a falcon-like bird at the top of a distant bare tree. Resting the scope on a bag over car window ledge we were thrilled to see a Dickinson’s Kestrel. No apologies for the quality of the photos. Rather distant!

And then at the bridge we were treated several times to a Bohm’s Spinetail flying overhead. Eight images to scroll through – not all of any quality but there to give an impression of the way they are shaped.

And that is it for our time visiting the Kruger. Part 2 will include the camps we visited after Nthakeni until we got home. Tshipise (and The Big Tree), Boelamien River Camp, Blouberg Nature Reserve, Mapungubwe National Park and Thorn Tree Bushcamp in Dinokeng.

Hope you have enjoyed the read.

Sally and Paul Bartho

Eastern Cape Part 3

Published on September 6, 2021September 6, 2021 by Paul Bartho3 Comments

Balloch Cottages and Rhodes

25th to 28th April 2012

On the 28th April we headed for Balloch Cottages near Barkly East. Here is some of the scenery along the way.

There are only 2 large campsites at Balloch – both are easily the size of four normal campsites. When you book the whole site is for you and your party only.

One campsite is by the river and the other in a cave above. We had hoped to camp in the cave but someone beat us to it. Our campsite was huge and a bit sloped.

The cave campsite – see the photos :

There was power when the river generator was on – usually for a few hours in the evening. And it was cold being so high up with a cold front there and snow looming.

Balloch Cottages is about 6kms from the passing gravel road along a scenic dirt and sometimes challenging road. Let the photos speak for themselves:

Our time spent at Balloch was mainly spent walking – following paths up into the mountainous countryside or else down the road towards the cottages and beyond. Exploring the ponds and rivulets as well as the treed curbsides.

Reflection of a branch of a tree hanging over a rather calm pond.

One of the more interesting sightings occurred on one of these walks. We could hear people talking from what seemed miles away. They were at the top of one of the steep slopes. Then as we got closer we realised they were herding sheep down into our valley. However the sheep decided they wanted the quickest way down and that was straight down the steep slope – incredible. Never seen so many sheep altogether almost running down en masse.

On one day we decided to visit Rhodes. It took us a one and a half hours birding along the way.

Again a stunning barren landscape with a few special birds along the way.

Birding was difficult at that time of the year. But we did see several specials : Sentinel Rock-Thrush both male and female; Karoo Prinia, Cape Vulture, Greater Kestrel, Grey Crowned Cranes, Red-eyed Bulbul, Yellow-crowned Bishop and even a Rock Hyrax.

But the most unusual bird we saw was definitely this one.

We left a day early as we were informed that there would be a heavy dump of snow at the end of the week. We overnighted again at Tortini and drove home from there the day before the snow storm was about to hit the Drakensberg.

And so that brings to an end our trip to the Eastern Cape.

Hope you have enjoyed the read and the photos.

Paul and Sally Bartho

Raging Red in Balloch on way to campsite.

Eastern Cape Trip – Part 2

Published on September 5, 2021September 6, 2021 by Paul Bartho1 Comment

Addo Elephant National Park

16th to 21st April 2017

This was the start of our homeward journey from Sedgefield.

Addo (number 5 on the map) showing 6 of its 7 areas. The 7th is Woody Cape – east of Colchester along the coast.

As you can see from the map, Addo includes seven distinct areas: Darlington, Kabouga, Zuurberg, Nyathi, Addo Main Camp, Colchester and Woody Cape. Each are in fact separate areas. Some of which you have to book accommodation in it in order to visit – Darlington and Nyathi. We visited Kabouga and Zuurberg while staying in Addo Main Camp.

Kabouga is in the high mountains. The road is recommended for 4×4 or high clearance vehicles. The road follows a valley between mountains. There is a wild camp there – you need to take everything including water and a porta potty if you want to stay there. We did not see much game nor birds in Kabouga and would be unlikely to visit it again.

Our one interesting experience was coming round a corner to see a red-headed Bushpig in the middle of the road. It quickly scampered into the bush so no photos. Red-headed as it had obviously just had a bloody meal.

Zuurberg is situated at the top of another closeby mountain. A pretty drive up. However on arrival we discovered there were no tracks to drive but it did have mountain trails. We were not properly equipped to go trekking. It was bitterly cold and windy.

The camp site we had was hedged in so nicely private, level and partly shady.

Early morning the birds would pass through our campsite looking for scraps from the previous evening. They ranged from Laughing Doves, Red-winged Starlings, Francolins, Terrestial Brownbulls, a Southern Tchagra, a pair of Black-headed Orioles and even an inquisitive pair of Brown-hooded Kingfishers.

Addo Main Camp and Colchester may be two separate areas but they are effectively one large area. This is the main game viewing area. The north section of this area has open grassland but the majority of the roads are between thick spekboom scrub making it difficult to see into the bush. The south – Colchester – has views of the sea.

Jack’s Picnic site was an interesting area. So who was Jack?

Some of the action at Jack’s were the visiting birds while we had tea.

The few species of animals that we saw were mainly Elephant and Burchell’s Zebra with an occasional Warthog.

There was a waterhole which we frequented – despite the cold drizzly days – which had a reasonable variety of waterbirds. African Black Duck, a large number of White-breasted Cormorants, South African Shelducks, Blacksmith Lapwings, African Spoonbills and a Grey Heron. There was always activity at this waterhole – especially brought about by a bedraggled juvenile African Fish-Eagle.

And here are some of the other birds photoed during our stay.

We had booked to stay for five nights. In fact, for us, 2 or 3 nights would have been plenty. Although we had several nice bird sightings we are reluctant to return unless it is at a different time of the year.

On one of the days at Addo we heard that the Sooty Gull had appeared at Kabeljous, Jeffreys Bay. We went hoping to be lucky this time. Alas not to be.

Mountain Zebra National Park

21st to 25th April 2021

From Addo we headed north to Mountain Zebra National Park. The campsite was fairly full so we ended placing our Caracal on a gentle slope to give us some privacy from neighbours and a view to enjoy.

Mountain Zebra is one of the National Parks we enjoy the most. It is scenic and has a variety of bird and animal species difficult to find elsewhere – Cape Mountain Zebras, Bat-eared Foxes, Red-winged Francolin, Black Harrier to name a few.

The camp is in a valley below the high mountain grasslands. It has four 4×4 only routes each with their own degree of difficulty. We tried one -Juriesdam 4×4 Trail- and having gone up 100 metres we had no choice but to continue.