A single Mascarene Martin was spotted near Mount Moreland earlier this week (June 10th 2024). Only the second time it has been reported in South Africa. It is a bird which comes from Madagascar to the coastal area of Mozambique in the winter.
Anyway, Sally and I decided on Thursday lunchtime to see if it was still around. We got there around 15h15 and joined the crowd patiently awaiting and hopeful for an appearance.
We planned to stay over in Durban and get a better chance to see it in the morning.
Much to our surprise it suddenly appeared on the line close to us at 16h30 among all the Brown-throated Martins. Great sighting as it hung around for about 40 minutes – on the line just above us.
Took loads of photos into the sun. Should have the sun behind us in the morning so we planned to go back.
Despite no news of it being present this morning, we returned ever hopeful of some better photos of the bird with the sun behind us.
There was a large crowd present. most had been there since first light. We waited. And waited eventually leaving at 10h00. Most of the crowd had already left to get to work.
Sadly it was a no show for everyone. Hey, that’s birding.
Here are some of the pics I managed to get of the bird – but one is not what it seems. Which is it and what is it? It is among the Mascarene Martins which have not been labelled. Click on the birds for a better view.
African StonechatBlack Saw-wingBrown-throated MartinBrown-throated MartinBrown-throated MartinGrey Crowned CraneKlass’s CuckooLesser Striped Swallow with large red rumpBlack SparrowhawkBlack SparrowhawkWire-tailed SwallowWire-tailed SwallowWire-tailed Swallow
Sally was given a Christmas present to go up Sani Pass with a bird guide.
Sally arranged with Stuart McLean to go up the pass on January 10th. The price included up to two other persons – myself and a good friend Judy Zingel.
For those of you who are not aware of Sani Pass – it is a treacherous drive on an extremely rocky road to Lesotho. It has numerous hair-pin bends which get narrower and tighter as you ascend. A 4×4 is imperative to make the 8 Kms trip safely.
Sani Pass is in the middle of the picture where the rather small Mouse pointer is indicatingSani Pass runs from the South African Border Control as shown, all the way up to the Lesotho Border Control as shown on the map.
And a view up the Pass:
Hairy Hair-pinsRoad to the top
We planned to meet Stuart at 05h30. So, rather drive there from Howick, we decided to camp at the bottom at Sani Lodge Backpaackers and meet him there. We took our Afrispoor Wildcat (Off-road Caravan) and Judy a tent.
The night before they had a drenching and more rain seemed likely. So, Judy put her tent up beneath our awning and we were able to enclose it by putting up sides to the awning.
Judy’s Tent under our awning and me sagging under the weight of water!!Where we campedGardenBackpackers outside feeding and drinking trough. Paul and JudyBackpackers car park
Later on that afternoon we took a drive to Himeville Nature Reserve. Very disappointing. Totally run down. We did see a few birds there.
We had hoped to see the hoards of Lesser Kestrels coming in to roost. Nothing appeared. We later learned that they had not been seen in Himeville for a number of years. No-one really knows why.
The next morning, we were up bright and early, prepared our food and drink for the day and ready for Stuart at 05h30.
Comfortably sat in Stuart’s Fortuner 4×4, we headed for the Border Post and then drove to the top. We took an hour and a half birding up those 8 kms – stopping here and there to admire the birds, scenery and flora and one other fauna – several Mountain Reedbuck. Weather started overcast and drizzly and as the day went on, it got cold. However, it brightened up and we had glorious sunshine halfway through the day.
At the border.
Sally and Judy
Paul , Sally and Stuartenjoying something to eat and drink.
Here are some photos of the scenery up and down Sani Pass.
10 Waterfalls as you look upA view to the topYes, the rocky roadLooking down The road below – full of rugged hair-pinsHair-pins. Looks steep and is steep.Hairy hair-pinsWide sectionLooking up
A video of a ride up the Sani Pass, showing how rough it can be.
Here are some of the flora and fauna photoed on the ride up and down.
At the top, we went through the Border Post into Lesotho. Immediately, the driving became easier and comfortable. The Chinese build road was wide and well asphalted. Here are some photos of the scenery in Lesotho.
Stopped by a birdPaul and Judy looking for a RockjumperJackets on – cold and drizzly but good birding.Some 20 kms into Lesotho and close to its highest point.Rock face.Treeless slopes
Before we set off into the hinterland of Lesotho, we visited the highest Pub in Southern Africa – Sani Mountain Lodge at 2874 metres above sea level. Stuart told us that this is apparently no longer the highest in Africa. However, it is spectacularly set overlooking the Sani Pass.
The verandah with its fabulous view down the Pass.
At the Pub we had drizzly views of some special species – Sentinel Rock Thrush, Drakensberg Ciskin and a Sloggett’s Ice Rat.
All the time we were on the lookout for the Drakensberg Rockjumper. More Sentinel Rock Thrushes appeared, a colourful lizard and a pair of Karoo Scrub-Robins.
Karoo Scrub-RobinsKaroo Scrub-RobinsDrakensberg Crag LizardSentinel Rock ThrushSentinel Rock ThrushSentinel Rock Thrush
Then we reached an open flat land next to the river where the Chinese had their base. At this location there were a number of Mountain Wheatears – males and females, Sentinel Rock Thrushes and Black-headed Canaries – the adults are striking looking birds.
During our time there we came across the Drakensberg Rockjumper on a number of occasions – particularly on our way back to the Lesotho border.
Drakensberg Rockjumper.
It was a long day but extremely enjoyable. The birds were exciting to see in their natural habitat. But there was more to come.
Stuart lives in Himeville. His home is a bird sanctuary. Stuart invited us to come round at 18h00 to see a special bird that habituates his garden and appears every evening to enjoy a bath and devour some mealie worms.
On arrival, the drizzle began again. However, we sat quietly on Stuart’s verandah with eyes peeled on a particular spot in his garden less than 10 metres away. Sure enough, the bird appeared on schedule. Setting my camera on 40000 ISO, I managed a few shots before the darkness engulfed us.
The next morning we got up early and explored a road which Stuart mentioned to us. A wetland area and a location for cranes. Not to be disappointed we saw scores of Grey-crowned Cranes as well as a few Blue Cranes. The cranes were set far away from us so sadly no photos.
At the wetland area we spotted several Yellow Bishops and Long-tailed Widowbirds. There was also a raptor seen at a distance. It was a Harrier which appeared to have a pale head though it was hard to be sure.