Saturday, February 18, 2017

Next up wonderful Morocco

Currently my days are spent in 'my' mountains here in the Serrania de Ronda, days and more spent with intrepid explorers on wildlife adventures, but next up for me is a Moroccan Safari and I am already excited! I will be leading a group that is made-up of folk from Canada and New Zealand, it will be a challenge for me to ensure they share my love affair and will also fall in love with Morocco. Of course I will also be showing them Morocco's rich and diverse birds too.

It is actually very difficult to sit down and write an article about the birds of Morocco without also waxing lyrical regarding the scenery, people and history of this mystical country. I guess, for the uninitiated, Morocco most probably conjures-up visions of just sand and dust. Nothing could be further from the truth! Conditions here, despite its close proximity to Europe, are very different with wadis, deserts, plains, forest, mountains, coasts and islands. The diversity of these habitats are reflected in the number of bird species found in this most exotic of North African countries, with over 450 species it is a must visit country for any with a passion for our feathered friends.

Morocco has both Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, but the Atlantic side is rightly renowned for both wintering and migrant waders and gulls. The coastal wetlands are spread along the Atlantic coast and have such great birding sites as Larache marshes, Merja Zerga, the Souss and Massa estuaries, in addition to the Khnifiss lagoon and Dakhla Bay on the Saharan coast. During the summer months a visit to Essaouira can produce spectacular views of Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae as any number of over 600 pairs breeding on the nearby islets can be seen close to shore. Along the cliffs between El-Jadida and Essaouira Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus, Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides as well as Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus can be seen playing in the up-draughts on the high bluffs that protect the headlands from the ravages of the ocean. Of course other notable and sought after species on this coastal stretch include Marsh Owl Asio capensis, Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegala and Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita. The reasons are many and varied for visiting the Atlantic coast and that is why we journey to this region with tours every September (see our autumn tour here).

Forming the backbone of Morocco is her mountain ranges. The mountains are a dominant feature that forms an almost ever presence on the visual landscape, starting in the northeast with the High Plateau bordering the Mediterranean coast, the mountains rise to form the impressive Rif range (2,456m) and further south are softened by the Central Plateau (1,627m). Dramatically the mountains climb majestically from the Central Plateau and to the south they create the High Atlas (4,167m) where the snow lingers into the summer months. As the mountains march towards the Atlantic coast another range, the Anti-Atlas (3,304m), reaches into the cold ocean waters north of Agadir. Throughout the mountain ranges, from the northeast to the southwest, many large forests survive the pressures of man and their animals. Both the forests and surrounding steppe type habitats create niches for several interesting bird species. Throughout the entire range, cliff-loving species such as Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus and Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos occur, whilst the highly prized Dupont’s Lark Chersophilus duponti can be very local in the Central Plateau. We can find many specialities in the forested areas and Levaillant’s Woodpecker Picus vaillantii is probably the most notable of these. Scrubby slopes are always worth exploring and can produce Tristram’s Warbler Sylvia deserticola, whilst the common Moussier’s Redstart Phoenicurus moussieri always reward the patient explorer. There are a number of areas in higher elevations that are accessible and a visit to the ski resort of Oukaimeden can produce good views for Atlas Shore (Horned) Lark Eremophila alpestris, Alpine Chough Pyrrhocorax graculus and the very local Crimson-winged Finch Rhodopechys sanguinea. We always include visits to the mountain areas during our main tours and during our spring safari tours we pass over the High Atlas using the spectacular Tizi-n-Tichka pass.

South of the High and Anti-Atlas Mountain ranges lies the area of Saharan Morocco. The landscape here is varied and beautiful, not at all what one might expect whilst imagining an endless desert plain! The desert areas are largely pebble, but are interspersed by river courses whose green palms and gardens contrast with their surroundings. The sand deserts, more in keeping with our own imaginings of desert, are found in the areas of Mhamid in the extreme south of the Draa Valley and to the east close to Merzouga (Erg Chebbi). The desert areas also have their share of mountains and the Jbel Sarhro (2,712m) range captures the area surrounding the Vallee du Dades, separating it from the more southerly desert region. Most notable from a bird perspective in the Dades area is the famous Tagdilt Track. Larks, wheatears, sandgrouse and many desert loving species are widespread throughout the deserts of Morocco. Birds can be hard to find on occasion, but those that are found can reward the effort with such species as Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor, Hoopoe Lark Alaemon alaudipes, Blue-cheeked Bee Eater Merops persicus, Fulvous Babbler Turdoides fulvus, Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata and Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius all good examples of what makes these deserts worthwhile for the visiting birdwatcher. Spring migration through the desert areas can be spectacular especially where wadis provide food and shelter for many species such as Rufous Bush Robin Cercotrichas galactotes, both eastern and western Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida/opaca (the former breeds in the desert areas), Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans and Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus. Searching the deserts and scrub can also produce real Moroccan specialities such as Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis, Desert Sparrow Passer simplex, Desert Warbler Sylvia nana and Scrub Warbler Scotocerca inquieta, whilst the ever present Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti provides the constant reminder that the wheatear family is represented here by no less than 8 of their number. To add to the feeling of wonder you can also witness the somewhat bizarre sight of the desert lake at Merzouga, although temporary the lake has appeared in recent years. Here it is strange to see large numbers of waders and ducks with Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber also appearing as if summoned by some unheard whisper of water.


To present all the birds and their habitats in Morocco would require several pages and although there are so many not included in my brief introduction, I hope you will at least be tempted to visit this wonderful destination at least once in your lifetime. For as the famous American author Paul Bowles said, when describing the Sahara in Morocco:
Why go? The answer is that when man has been there and undergone the baptism of solitude he can’t help himself. Once he has been under the spell of the vast, luminous, silent country, no other place is quite strong enough for him, no other surroundings can provide the supremely satisfying sensation of existing in the midst of something that is absolute. He will go back, whatever the cost in comfort or money, for the absolute has no price.” Paul Bowles




If you would like to join me on future tours to Morocco, then Worldwide Birding Tours have a selection of dates and tours to choose from on this link. It would be great to have you come along on one of my Moroccan adventures.


Tuesday, February 7, 2017

South Africa 2016 - Trip Report Part 5

The final trip report, Part 5 is all about our species list for birds and mammals seen during the tour. So here I present the finale to this rather long and drawn out trip report with part 5 for this blog/trip report. I hope you can forgive the drawn out nature of these information packed day by day accounts of my tour. I apologise for the time taken to finish up the report, but I have been kept busy guiding friends on my own patch, more of that in a later blog!  😘



Tour Leaders: Peter Jones (Worldwide Birding Tours § Co-Author, Editor) and  Wian van Zyl (Birding Guide, Main Author)



This comprehensive tour of South Africa by Worldwide Birding Tours undertook a 3-week journey across eastern South Africa, and down into the Western Cape of South Africa. Starting in Durban on the scenic Kwazulu-Natal coast, we slowly worked our way northwards taking in the rolling hills and forests of Eshowe down to the coastal forest and bushveld of the greater Isimangaliso Wetland Park, before heading up to the high-altitudinal grasslands surrounding the endemic hotspot of Wakkerstroom. Kruger was next on the agenda, where a few days were spent enjoying this true natural side of Africa, before heading onto Cape Town and the Western Cape via Dullstroom. Some time was spent on the Cape Peninsula itself, before heading up the west coast to the sleepy village of Langebaan, thereby bring the tour to an end some three weeks later. Due to the length of the tour, and variety of habitats taken in, a mammoth total of nearly 420 species of bird were found on the tour!



BIRD LIST SOUTH AFRICA: WESTERN CAPE AND SUB-TROPICAL 2016

      Common Name                           Scientific Name
                                                    
      African Penguin                            Spheniscus demersus

      Black-browed Albatross                Thalassarche melanophrys
      Shy Albatross                               Thalassarche cauta
      Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross   Thalassarche chlororhynchos
      Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross     Thalassarche carteri
      Northern Giant Petrel                   Macronectes halli
      Southern Giant Petrel                  Macronectes giganteus
      Spectacled Petrel                        Procellaria conspicillata
      White-chinned Petrel                   Procellaria aequinoctialis
      Sooty Shearwater                        Puffinus griseus
      Cory's Shearwater                        Calonectris borealis
      Great Shearwater                         Puffinus gravis
      Great-winged Petrel                     Pterodroma macroptera
      European Storm Petrel                Hydrobates pelagicus
      Cape Gannet                               Morus capensis
      Greater Flamingo                        Phoenicopterus roseus
      Lesser Flamingo                          Phoeniconaias minor
      Great White Pelican                    Pelecanus onocrotalus
      Pink-backed Pelican                    Pelecanus rufescens
      Bank Cormorant                          Phalacrocorax neglectus
      Cape Cormorant                         Phalacrocorax capensis
      Crowned Cormorant                   Phalacrocorax coronatus
      Reed Cormorant                          Phalacrocorax africanus
      White-breasted Cormorant           Phalacrocorax lucidus
      African Darter                              Anhinga rufa
      African Sacred Ibis                      Threskiornis aethiopicus
      Glossy Ibis                                    Plegadis falcinellus
      Hadeda Ibis                                 Bostrychia hagedash
      Southern Bald Ibis                      Geronticus calvus
      African Spoonbill                         Platalea alba
      Black-headed Heron                    Ardea melanocephala
      Goliath Heron                              Ardea goliath
      Grey Heron                                  Ardea cinerea
      Purple Heron                               Ardea purpurea
      Great Egret                                  Egretta alba
      Little Egret                                   Egretta garzetta
      Western Cattle Egret                    Bubulcus ibis
      Black Heron                                 Egretta ardesiaca
      Squacco Heron                           Ardeola ralloides
      Black-crowned Night Heron         Nycticorax nycticorax
      Green-backed Heron                    Butorides striata
      White Stork                                  Ciconia ciconia
      Woolly-necked Stork                    Ciconia episcopus
      Yellow-billed Stork                       Mycteria ibis
      Hamerkop                                    Scopus umbretta
      African Openbill                           Anastomus lamelligerus
      Marabou Stork                             Leptoptilos crumeniferus
      Saddle-billed Stork                      Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
      Great Crested Grebe                   Podiceps cristatus
      Little Grebe                                 Tachybaptus ruficollis
      White-backed Duck                      Thalassornis leuconotus
      White-faced Whistling Duck         Dendrocygna viduata
      Egyptian Goose                           Alopochen aegyptiaca
      Spur-winged Goose                     Plectropterus gambensis
      South African Shelduck               Tadorna cana
      African Black Duck                      Anas sparsa
      Yellow-billed Duck                       Anas undulata
      Southern Pochard                       Netta erythrophthalma
      Cape Shoveler                            Anas smith
      Maccoa Duck                              Oxyura maccoa
      Cape Teal                                   Anas capensis
      Hottentot Teal                             Anas hottentota
      Red-billed Teal                           Anas erythrorhyncha
      Cape Vulture                              Gyps coprotheres
      White-backed Vulture                  Gyps africanus
      Hooded Vulture                           Necrosyrtes monachus
      Lappet-faced Vulture                   Torgos tracheliotos
      White-headed Vulture                  Aegypius occipitalis
      Palm-nut Vulture                         Gypohierax angolensis
      Bateleur                                       Terathopius ecaudatus

      African Fish Eagle                       Haliaeetus vocifer
      Western Osprey                            Pandion haliaetus
      Crowned Eagle                            Stephanoaetus coronatus
      Martial Eagle                               Polemaetus bellicosus
      Verreauxs' Eagle                          Aquila verreauxii
      Tawny Eagle                               Aquila rapax
      Wahlberg’s Eagle                         Hieraaetus wahlbergi
      African Hawk Eagle                     Aquila spilogaster
      Long-crested Eagle                     Lophaetus occipitalis
      Brown Snake Eagle                     Circaetus cinereus
      Black-chested Snake Eagle         Circaetus pectoralis
      Southern Banded Snake Eagle   Circaetus fasciolatus
      European Honey Buzzard            Pernis apivorus
      Yellow-billed Kite                        Milvus aegyptius
      Jackal Buzzard                            Buteo rufofuscus
      Common (Steppe) Buzzard          Buteo buteo
      African Marsh Harrier                   Circus ranivorus
      Black Harrier                                Circus maurus
      Black-shouldered Kite                  Elanus caeruleus
      African Goshawk                          Accipiter tachiro
      Little Sparrowhawk                       Accipiter minullus
      African Harrier-Hawk                    Polyboroides typus
      Lanner Falcon                              Falco biarmicus
      Lesser Kestrel                               Falco naumanni
      Rock Kestrel                                 Falco rupicolus
      Amur Falcon                                Falco amurensis
      Crested Guineafowl                     Guttera pucherani
      Helmeted Guineafowl                  Numida meleagris
      Common Ostrich                          Struthio camelus
      Crested Francolin                        Dendroperdix sephaena
      Grey-winged Francolin                Scleroptila africana
      Red-winged Francolin                 Scleroptila levaillantii
      Cape Spurfowl                            Pternistis capensis
      Natal Spurfowl                            Pternistis natalensis
      Swainson’s Spurfowl                   Pternistis swainsonii
      Common Quail                            Coturnix coturnix
      Red-knobbed coot                       Fulica cristata
      Common Moorhen                       Gallinula chloropus 
      Black Crake                                  Amaurornis flavirostra
      African (Purple) Swamphen         Porphyrio madagascariensis
      Buff-spotted Flufftail                     Sarothrura elegans
      Blue Crane                                   Anthropoides paradiseus
      Grey Crowned Crane                   Balearica regulorum
      Secretarybird                               Sagittarius serpentarius
      Denham’s Bustard                        Neotis denhami
      Black-bellied Bustard                   Lissotis melanogaster
      Northern Black Korhaan              Afrotis afraoides
      Red-crested Korhaan                  Lophotis ruficrista
      Southern Black Korhaan             Afrotis afra
      White-bellied Korhaan                 Eupodotis senegalensis
      Pied Avocet                                 Recurvirostra avosetta
      Black-winged Stilt                        Himantopus himantopus
      African Jacana                            Actophilornis africanus
      African Black Oystercatcher       Haematopus moquini
      Spotted Thick-knee                      Burhinus capensis
      Water Thick-knee                         Burins vermiculatus    

      Collared Pratincole                     Glareola pratincola
      Blacksmith Lapwing                     Vanellus armatus  
      White-crowned Lapwing              Vanellus albiceps  
      African Wattled Lapwing             Vanellus senegallus
      Crowned Lapwing                        Vanellus coronatus 
      Senegal Lapwing                        Vanellus lugubris
      Grey Plover                                  Pluvialis squatarola
      Kittlitz’s Plover                             Charadrius pecuarius
      White-fronted Plover                    Charadrius marginatus
      Common Ringed Plover              Charadrius hiaticula
      Three-banded Plover                   Charadrius tricollaris
      American Golden Plover             Pluvialis dominica
      African Snipe                              Gallinago nigripennis
      Eurasian Curlew                           Numenius arquata
      Common Whimbrel                      Numenius phaeopus
      Bar-tailed Godwit                         Limosa lapponica
      Common Greenshank                  Tringa nebularia
      Marsh Sandpiper                         Tringa stagnatilis
      Common Sandpiper                    Actitis hypoleucos
      Pectoral Sandpiper                     Calidris melanomas
      Wood Sandpiper                          Tringa glareola
      Ruff                                              Philomachus pugnax
      Ruddy Turnstone                         Arenaria interpres
      Red Knot                                     Calidris canutus
      Sanderling                                   Calidris alba
      Curlew Sandpiper                        Calidris ferruginea
      Little Stint                                    Calidris minuta
      Temminck's Stint                         Calidris temminckii
      Red-necked Phalarope                Phalaropus lobatus
      Pomarine Skua                            Stercorarius pomarinus
      Subantarctic Skua                       Stercorarius antarctica
      Kelp Gull                                     Larus dominicanus
      Sabine’s Gull                               Xema sabini
      Grey-headed Gull                        Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus
      Hartlaub's Gull                            Chroicocephalus hartlaubii
      Caspian Tern                               Sterna caspia
      Lesser Crested Tern                     Thalasseus bengalensis
      Sandwich Tern                            Thalasseus sandvicensis
      Swift Tern                                    Thalasseus bergii
      Common Tern                             Sterna hirundo
      Little Tern                                    Sterna albifrons
      Whiskered Tern                            Chlidonias hybrida
      Lemon Dove                                Aplopelia larvata
      Rock Dove                                   Columba livia
      African Olive Pigeon                   Columba arquatrix
      Speckled Pigeon                         Columba guinea
      African Mourning Dove                Streptopelia decipiens
      Cape Turtle Dove                        Streptopelia capicola
      Laughing Dove                            Streptopelia senegalensis
      Red-eyed Dove                            Streptopelia semitorquata
      Emerald-spotted Wood Dove       Turtur chalcospilos
      Namaqua Dove                            Oena capensis

      Tambourine Dove                        Turtur tympanistria
      African Green Pigeon                  Treron calvus
      Brown-headed Parrot                   Poicephalus cryptoxanthus
      Grey Go-away-bird                       Corythaixoides concolor
      Livingstone’s Turaco                    Touraco livingstonii
      Purple-crested Turaco                 Tauraco porphyreolophus
      African Cuckoo                            Cuculus gularis 
      Red-chested Cuckoo                    Cuculus solitarius
      Black Cuckoo                               Cuculus clamosus
      Jacobin Cuckoo                           Clamator jacobinus
      Levaillant's Cuckoo                      Clamator levaillantii
      African Emerald Cuckoo              Chrysococcyx cupreus
      Diederik Cuckoo                           Chrysococcyx caprius
      Klaas's Cuckoo                             Chrysococcyx klaas
      Green Malkoha                            Ceuthmochares australis
      Burchell’s Coucal                         Centropus burchellii
      Marsh Owl                                    Asio capensis
      Spotted Eagle-Owl                      Bubo africanus
      Swamp Nightjar                           Caprimulgus natalensis
      African Black Swift                      Apus barbatus
      Common Swift                             Apus apus
      African Palm Swift                       Cypsiurus parvus
      Little Swift                                   Apus affinis
      White-rumped Swift                     Apus caffer
      Red-faced Mousebird                  Urocolius indicus
      Speckled Mousebird                    Colius striatus
      White-backed Mousebird            Colius colius
      Narina Trogon                             Apaloderma narina
      African Pygmy Kingfisher            Ispidina picta
      Giant Kingfisher                           Megaceryle maxima
      Malachite Kingfisher                   Alcedo cristata
      Pied Kingfisher                            Ceryle rudis
      European Bee-eater                    Merops piaster
      Brown-hooded Kingfisher             Halcyon albiventris
      Striped Kingfisher                        Halcyon chelicuti
      Woodland Kingfisher                   Halcyon senegalensis
      Blue-cheeked Bee-eater              Merops persicus
      White-fronted Bee-eater               Merops bullockoides
      Little Bee-eater                            Merops pusillus
      Broad-billed Roller                      Eurystomus glaucurus
      European Roller                          Coracias garrulus
      Lilac-breasted Roller                   Coracias caudatus
      Purple Roller                               Coracias naevius
      African Grey Hornbill                   Tockus nasutus
      Southern Ground-Hornbill            Bucorvus leadbeateri
      Southern Red-billed Hornbill   Tockus rufirostris
      Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill Tockus leucomelas
      Trumpeter Hornbill                      Bycanistes bucinator
      Crowned Hornbill                         Tockus alboterminatus
      African Hoopoe                           Upupa africana
      Green Wood-hoopoe                   Phoeniculus purpureus
      Black-collared Barbet                  Lybius torquatus
      Crested Barbet                             Trachyphonus vaillantii
      Green Barbet                               Stactolaema olivacea
      White-eared Barbet                      Stactolaema leucotis
      Acacia Pied Barbet                      Tricholaema leucomelas
      Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird             Pogoniulus chrysoconus
      Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird            Pogoniulus bilineatus
      Golden-tailed Woodpecker          Campethera abingoni
      Cardinal Woodpecker                  Dendropicos fuscescens
      Ground Woodpecker                   Geocolaptes olivaceus
      Olive Woodpecker                       Dendropicos griseocephalus
      Red-throated Wryneck                 Jynx ruficollis
      Red-capped Lark                         Calandrella cinerea
      Sabota Lark                                 Calendulauda sabota
      Spike-heeled Lark                        Chersomanes albofasciata
      Karoo Lark                                  Calendulauda albescens
      Cape Clapper Lark                     Mirafra apiata
      Eastern clapper Lark                   Mirafra fasciolata
      Rufous-naped Lark                     Mirafra africana
      Eastern Long-billed Lark            Certhilauda semitorquata
      Botha’s Lark                               Spizocorys fringillaris
      Barn Swallow                               Hirundo rustica
      White-throated Swallow               Hirundo albigularis
      Wire-tailed Swallow                     Hirundo smithii
      Greater Striped Swallow              Cecropis cucullata
      Lesser Striped Swallow                Cecropis abyssinica
      Red-breasted Swallow                 Cecropis semirufa
      South African Cliff Swallow         Petrochelidon spilodera
      Common House Martin                Delichon urbicum
      Banded Martin                             Riparia cincta
      Brown-throated Martin                 Riparia paludicola
      Rock Martin                                 Hirundo fuligula
      Sand Martin                                 Riparia riparia
      Black Cuckooshrike                      Campephaga flava
      Grey Cuckooshrike                       Coracina caesia
      Fork-tailed Drongo                       Dicrurus adsimilis
      Square-tailed Drongo                  Dicrurus ludwigii
      Black-headed Oriole                    Oriolus larvatus
      Cape Crow                                   Corvus capensis
      Pied crow                                    Corvus albus
      White-necked Raven                    Corvus albicollis
      Southern Black Tit                       Parus niger
      Arrow-marked Babbler                  Turdoides jardineii
      Terrestrial Brownbul                     Phyllastrephus terrestris
      Cape Bulbul                                 Pycnonotus capensis
      Dark-capped Bulbul                     Pycnonotus tricolor
      Sombre Greenbul                        Andropadus importunus
      Yellow-bellied Greenbul              Chlorocichla flaviventris

      Eastern Nicator                            Nicator gularis
      Karoo Thrush                              Turdus smith
      Kurrichane Thrush                       Turdus libonyanus
      Olive Thrush                                Turdus olivaceus
      Spotted Ground Thrush               Zoothera guttata
      Cape Rock Thrush                      Monticola rupestris
      Sentinel Rock Thrush                 Monticola explorator
      Cape Rockjumper                       Chaetops frenatus
      Familiar Chat                               Cercomela familiaris
      Southern Ant-eating Chat            Myrmecocichla formicivora
      Buff-streaked Chat                      Campicoloides bifasciata
      Mountain Wheatear                     Oenanthe monticola
      Capped Wheatear                        Oenanthe pileata
      African StoneChat                       Saxicola torquatus
      Bearded Scrub Robin                  Erythropygia quadrivirgata
      Brown Scrub Robin                     Erythropygia signata
      Karoo Scrub Robin                      Erythropygia coryphoeus
      White-browed Scrub Robin          Erythropygia leucophrys
      Cape Robin-Chat                         Cossypha caffra
      Chorister Robin-Chat                  Cossypha dichroa
      Red-capped Robin-Chat              Cossypha natalensis
      White-browed Robin-Chat          Cossypha heuglini
      White-throated Robin-Chat         Cossypha humeralis
      Cape Grassbird                          Sphenoeacus afer
      Long-billed crombec                   Sylvietta rufescens
      Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler        Sylvia subcaerulea
      Little Rush Warbler                      Bradypterus baboecala
      Willow Warbler                             Phylloscopus trochilus
      African Reed Warbler                  Acrocephalus baeticatus
      Lesser Swamp Warbler               Acrocephalus gracilirostris
      Cloud Cisticola                            Cisticola textrix
      Wing-snapping Cisticola              Cisticola ayresii
      Zitting Cisticola                           Cisticola juncidis
      Pale-crowned Cisticola                Cisticola cinnamomeus
      Neddicky                                      Cisticola fulvicapilla
      Croaking Cisticola                        Cisticola natalensis
      Rattling Cisticola                         Cisticola chiniana
      Levaillant’s Cisticola                    Cisticola tinniens
      Rufous-winged Cisticola              Cisticola galactotes
      Grey-backed Cisticola                  Cisticola subruficapilla
      Wailing Cisticola                         Cisticola lais
      Karoo Prinia                                Prinia maculosa
      Tawny-flanked Prinia                   Prinia subflava
      Green-backed Camaroptera         Camaroptera brachyura
      Rudd’s Apalis                               Apalis ruddy
      Yellow-breasted Apalis                Apalis flavida
      Southern Black flycatcher           Melaenornis pammelaina
      African Dusky Flycatcher             Muscicapa adusta
      Grey Tit-flycatcher                       Myioparus plumbeus
      Spotted flycatcher                       Muscicapa striata
      African Paradise Flycatcher        Terpsiphone viridis
      Blue-mantled Crested-Flycatcher Trochocercus cyanomelas

      Cape Batis                                   Batis capensis
      Chinspot Batis                              Batis molitor
      Woodwards’ Batis                         Batis fratrum
      Cape White-eye                          Zosterops virens
      African Pied Wagtail                   Motacilla aguimp
      Cape Wagtail                               Motacilla capensis
      Cape Longclaw                           Macronyx capensis
      Yellow-throated Longclaw           Macronyx croceus
      Yellow-breasted Pipit                  Anthus chloris
      African Pipit                                Anthus cinnamomeus
      Southern (Common) Fiscal          Lanius collars
      Lesser Grey Shrike                       Lanius minor
      Magpie Shrike                             Corvinella melanoleuca
      Red-backed Shrike                       Lanius collurio
      White-crested Helmet-Shrike        Prionops plumatus
      Black-backed Puffback                Dryoscopus cubla
      Southern Boubou                        Laniarius ferrugineus
      Bokmakierie                                Telophorus zeylonus
      Black-crowned Tchagra               Tchagra senegalus
      Brown-crowned Tchagra              Tchagra australis
      Gorgeous Bush-Shrike                Chlorophoneus viridis
      Grey-headed Bush-Shrike           Malaconotus blanchoti
      Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike     Chlorophoneus sulfureopectus
      Black-bellied Starling                  Notopholia corrusca
      Cape Glossy Starling                  Lamprotornis nitens
      Greater Blue-eared Starling         Lamprotornis chalybaeus
      Burchell’s Starling                       Lamprotornis australis
      Pied Starling                                Lamprotornis bicolor
      Red-winged Starling                    Onychognathus morio
      Violet-backed Starling                 Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
      Common Myna                            Acridotheres tristis
      Common Starling                        Sturnus vulgaris
      Red-billed Oxpecker                    Buphagus erythrorhynchus
      Wattled Starling                           Creatophora cinerea
      Cape Sugarbird                           Promerops cafer
      Malachite Sunbird                       Nectarinia famosa
      Orange-breasted Sunbird            Anthobaphes violacea
      Amethyst Sunbird                        Chalcomitra amethystina
      Grey Sunbird                               Cyanomitra veroxii
      Olive Sunbird                              Cyanomitra olivacea
      Scarlet-chested Sunbird              Chalcomitra senegalensis
      Greater Double-collared Sunbird  Cinnyris afer
      Neergaard's Sunbird                   Cinnyris neergaand
      Purple-banded Sunbird               Cinnyris bifasciatus
      Southern Double-collared Sunbird  Cinnyris chalybeus
      Collared Sunbird                         Anthodiaeta collaris
      White-bellied Sunbird                  Cinnyris talatala 
      House Sparrow                           Passer domesticus
      Cape Sparrow                             Passer melanurus
      Southern Grey-headed Sparrow   Passer diffusus
      Dark-backed Weaver                    Ploceus bicolor

      Red-billed Buffalo Weaver           Bubalornis niger
      Thick-billed Weaver                     Amblyospiza albifrons
      Cape Weaver                               Ploceus capensis
      Southern Brown-throated Weaver   Ploceus xanthopterus
      Yellow Weaver                             Ploceus subaureus
      Lesser Masked Weaver               Ploceus intermedius
      Southern Masked Weaver            Ploceus velatus
      Spectacled Weaver                     Ploceus ocularis
      Village Weaver                            Ploceus cucullatus
      Southern Red Bishop                   Euplectes orix
      Yellow-crowned Bishop               Euplectes afer
      Red-billed Quelea                       Quelea quelea
      Red-headed Quelea                    Quelea erythrops
      Yellow Bishop                              Euplectes capensis
      Fan-tailed Widowbird                   Euplectes axillaris
      Long-tailed Widowbird                 Euplectes progne
      Red-collared Widowbird              Euplectes ardens
      White-winged Widowbird             Euplectes albonotatus
      Long-tailed Paradise Whydah      Vidua paradisaea
      Pin-tailed Whydah                       Vidua macroura
      Bronze Mannikin                          Lonchura cucullata
      Magpie Mannikin                         Lonchura fringilloides
      Blue Waxbill                                Uraeginthus angolensis
      Common Waxbill                         Estrilda astrild
      Green-winged Pytilia                   Pytilia melba
      Orange-winged Pytilia                 Pytilia afra
      African Quail-finch                      Ortygospiza fuscocrissa
      Orange-breasted Waxbill             Amandava subflava
      Green Twinspot                           Mandingoa nitidula
      Pink-throated Twinspot                Hypargos margaritatus
      Brimstone Canary                        Crithagra sulphurata
      White-throated Canary                 Crithagra albogularis
      Streaky-headed Seedeater          Crithagra gularis
      Black-throated Canary                 Crithagra atrogularis
      Cape Canary                                Serinus canicollis
      Forest Canary                             Crithagra scoops
      Yellow Canary                             Crithagra flaviventris
      Yellow-fronted Canary                Crithagra mozambica
      Drakensberg Siskin                    Crithagra symonsi
      Cape Bunting                              Emberiza capensis
      Cinnamon-breasted Bunting        Emberiza tahapisi
      Golden-breasted Bunting             Emberiza flaviventris
      Lark-like Bunting                          Emberiza impetuani
                                                                                                                                          TOTALS                              423



Mammal List: South Africa

Common Name                              Scientific Name

Karoo Bushrat                                Otomys unisulcatus

Tree Squirrel                                   Paraxerus cepapi
Rock Hyrax (Dassie)                       Procavia capensis
African Elephant                             Loxodonta africana
Burchell’s (Plains) Zebra                 Equus burhcelli
White Rhino                                    Ceratotherium simum
Hippoptamus                                  Hippoptamus amphibius
Warthog                                          Phacochoerus aethiopicus
Giraffe                                            Giraffa camelopardalis
Black Wildebeest                           Connochaetes gnou
Blue Wildebeest                             Connochaetes taurinus
Blesbok                                            Damalascus dorcas phillipsi
Blue Duiker                                     Philantomba monticola
Red Duiker                                      Cephalophus natalensis
Common Duiker                             Sylvicapra grimmia
Springbok                                        Antidorcas marsupialis
Klipspringer                                    Oreotragus oreotragus
Steenbok                                         Raphicerus campestris
Impala                                              Aepyceros melampus
African Buffalo                                 Syncerus caffer
Greater Kudu                                  Tragelaphus strepsiceros
Nyala                                                Tragelaphus angasii
Bushbuck                                        Tragelaphus scriptus
Eland                                                Taurotragus oryx
Reedbuck                                        Redunca arundinum
Mountain Reedbuck                      Redunca fulvorufiula
Waterbuck                                       Kobus ellipsiprymnus
Spotted Hyena                                Crocuta crocuta
Leopard                                           Panthera pardus
Lion                                                   Panthera leo
Side-striped Jackal                        Canis adustus
Black-backed Jackal                     Canis mesomelas
Yellow Mongoose                          Cynictis penicillata
Slender Mongoose                        Galerella sanguinea
Water Mongoose                            Atliax paludinosus
Banded Mongoose                        Mungos mungo
Dwarf Mongoose                            Helogale parvula
Thick-tailed Bushbaby                  Otolemur crassicaudatus
Chacma Baboon                            Papio cyanocephalus ursinus
Vervet Monkey                                 Cercopithecus aethiops
Samango Monkey                          Cercopithecus mitis
Cape Fur Seal                                Arctocephalus pusillus
Common Dolphin                          Delphinus delphis
Bryde’s Whale                                Balaenoptera edeni

Total        44



Well the 5th and final installment is finished, so I am hoping you might follow this blog and read about my many other adventures touring various parts of our natural world. If the idea appeals to you, why not consider joining me and Wian later this year on another of our South African adventure tours? 

Details of the South Africa tour and itinerary can be found on this link

To see other destinations we visit please visit our main site. Thank you.