24 November – Birds and Hyenas

There are no words to describe the thrill one has when one is woken in the night or early in the morning by the sounds of the bushveld. We have heard the shrill laugh of the hyena the howl of the jackals and the roar of lions on several occasions since being in The Park. This morning the hyenas were particularly vocal and urged me out of bed before 5 am. Pat had heard them and the lions too so was also up a the same rude hour.

We were meant to leave be out the gate by 6 am but it was a little after that before we hit the H1-3

First up was a zebra crossing and then a number of lovely bird sightings.

African Harrier Hawk – getting his adult plumage

Soon we turned onto the H6

A Swainson’s Spurfowl in full voice

Purple Roller

Isn’t the baby impala too cute

The H6 is famous for hyena sightings and we were not disappointed

These two were on a mission

They were not the only two we saw – there were many lying fast asleep. Clearly they’d had a hard night!

These two opened weary eyes to check us out

We also met up with wildebeest

A handsome ostrich

And this magnificent Martial Eagle

By 7:35 we’d turned onto the S37 where a herd of Impala scared The Earl silly by leaping in front of the car without warning. Luckily we were going slowly as one must in a game reserve.

At 8:30 we got out at Sweni Hide and had a good time observing the activity there.

A water buck and herd of impala came down to drink

This yellow-billed stork sat on its haunches

Then she lay right down.

Perhaps standing on one leg gets a bit exhausting

The grey heron walked post cranky crocodile without a care in the world

And went to chat to the storks

Next we went to Sweni Picnic site which has a hide overlooking the river but there was not much to see. However, we got a lovely puffback in the picnic area.

Not easy to get this very vocal bird as he hides in the foliage. Here he’s nicely puffed up.

We then followed the S41. The birding was good

We watched a bateleur catch and eat a mouse

Near the river we observed thousands of quelea swarming and hanging in the trees. Pat suggested a good collective noun for them – A cloud of quelea.

There were “Clouds” of Quelea everywhere

We then joined the S100 and had some good sightings along that route.

Trumpeter Hornbill

Great to get the pale form Wahburg Eagle

When he flew to another tree we saw this barn owl with its wings hanging down over the branch – very odd.

Barn Owl acting strangely

We also enjoyed the giraffe and zebra

We had planned to come back to camp for breakfast but only made it there by midday so instead went to The Rustic Kitchen for lunch. Pat and I enjoyed a chicken salad and the men had chicken may toasties.

We went out again at 4 pm and did the S100.

This male waterbuck was very relaxed

The Sabota Lark got some dinner

A puffed up purple roller

It was cool this morning but the temperature rose to 35 in the afternoon. Pat and Tony cooked chicken kebabs, butternut and sweet potato on the braai which we served with a Greek Salad.

Ánother ‘lousy’ day in Africa!