Page 12 - 14 November 2025

PAGE 12 · THE REPORTER 14 NOVEMBER 2025

lightly streaked.
They eat seed and fruit and
sometimes insects. They
prefer arid and semi-arid
scrub although it is, like
m o s t s e e d - e a t e r s ,
dependent on standing
water. They are listed as a
AT LAST! common endemic and are
On Saturday, we went considered nomadic as they
birding. We chose one of our move around to where there
favourite routes, Suurvlakte is suitable water.
along the tar and back to Another nice sighting was
town via the dirt road, a nice t h e B a n d e d M a r t i n
round route - not too long in (Gebande Oewerswael). It is
case the weather did not a fairly large martin and has a
hold. distinct white eyebrow. We
The day started a bit late as saw a pair of them. They are Grey Crowned Crane (Mahem) Blue Crane (Bloukraanvoël)
our grandson, Tyler, had usually seen alone or in
slept over. It was beautiful pairs. It is a breeding
and sunny. The birds around summer migrant and is not
our home were very active so considered common,
we had great expectations. although we have seen them
a few times in the Suurvlakte
On the steep little pass just
off the tar road, we saw and Clifford area.
swallow and swift feeding on We saw a pair of Grey
flying ants. Strange to see Crowned Cranes (Mahem)
the ants coming out before and a pair of Clue Cranes
rains. We enjoyed watching (Bloukraanvoël). These may
their incredible flying and be the same birds we saw
navigation skills. An breeding near there last year.
assortment of buntings, On our way back to town, we
chats and other birds were heard a Diederick Cuckoo
also enjoying the bounty.
(Diederikkie) calling at the
The African Pipits (Gewone Saalboom Bridge. That was
Koester) were extremely my first for the season. Long-tailed Widowbird (Langstertflap). I
active. They were displaying Unfortunately we did not see Long-tailed Widowbird (Langstertflap) Long-tailed Widowbird think it is a youngster as he still hasn't
and having territorial battles the cuckoo, but there is no (Langstertflap) changed into his breeding plumage.
and of course calling all the mistaking its call.
time.
The strong wind started
We saw a bird with a blowing and our birds took
deformed beak, the two cover. We saw 47 species
mandibles crossed-over. A which is not too bad for a
crossed-beak (or "scissors morning in Barkly East.
beak") deformity is not We saw the Blue Korhaans
generally described as a (Bloukorhaan) at the Golf
common occurrence and Club on Sunday morning.
can lead to problems, but We also heard Common
this bird seemed to cope Quails (Afrikaanse Kwartel)
fine. We watched it consume and Quail Finches (Gewone
an insect without trouble.
Kwartelvinkie) on our
A lovely sighting was a male Sunday walk. We were
Black-headed Canary. There excited to hear the Melodius
may have been females with Larks (Spotlewerik) singing
him, but we were too busy in the grass. They have not
Black-headed Canary (Swartkopkanarie). The bird has a black head and a chestnut
p h o t o g r a p h i n g a n d yet started their display Banded Martin (Gebande brown back. A little bird we hardly ever see in Barkly East even though the apps note it
watching him, and the other flights. That is something to Oewerswael) One of our as a “locally common endemic”.
birds flew off quickly. It is not look forward to, as it is “specials” for the day.
a bird we have often seen in wonderful to hear their vocal
B a r k l y. T h e m a l e i s mimicry and see their
distinctive with a black head, displays.
chestnut back, rump and tail The birding should be even
and has white underparts.
The female has a dull better after the rain.
greyish-brown head that is Till next time.

A closer look at
the beak.

African Pipit (Gewone Koester) African Pipit (Gewone Koester) This bird has a deformed bea, but seems to
cope well. We watched it eat an insect.

South African Shelduck (Kopereend) and chick - she had 4
Grey Heron (Bloureier) hunting at the edge of a dam. chicks