Sunday 24th November 2024: S. Africa Day 7: Grootvadersbosch Estate

We took an early morning walk around the grounds, with fantastic views over the rolling landscape, noting Brimstone Canary, Cape Crow and Cape Weaver. Then we drove to the forest car park, and walked a highly productive track, almost immediately finding a lovely iridescent Klass’s Cuckoo, brilliant Red-winged Starling and Southern Boubou. Continuing into the forest we found Double-collared Sunbird, a restless Blue-crested Flycatcher, which flitted deep in the bushes and high overhead a calling African Goshawk perched atop a tall dead tree. Cape White-eye and Bar throated Apalis were noisy in the nearby bushes, and on the path Cape Canaries were feeding. Arriving back at the car park, we found a lovely Cape Batis on a nest. 

View from farmhouse

Cape Weaver

Klass’ Cuckoo

We returned to the farmhouse for a fantastic breakfast, interrupted by a shout for a Greater Honeyguide, which we watched moving about the tree tops. Outside the cottage where the men were staying, another Klaas’s Cuckoo showed really well, then a Black-headed Oriole landed in the trees. 

African Black-headed Oriole

At a bridge overlooking a small river, a Black Cuckoo flew back and forth several times, calling loudly. Black Sawwings and Greater Striped Swallows flew over, and a rather dull Nedicky was seen on a small bush by the water edge. A rufous tailed Paradise Flycatcher flew past, and Pied Starlings sat on the wires. 

At a small roadside pool, with dainty lilies strung out like stars above giant, saucer-shaped pads, we encountered our first Black Crakes of the trip, wandering awkwardly across the vegetation with their straggly legs, and a giant African Fish Eagle drifted overhead. Next we stopped for a cooling ice cream, and stumbled upon a small, square drainage pond, where we were amazed to discover a Giant Kingfisher, Three-banded Plover, and Water Thick-knee.

Giant Kingfisher

Driving through some agricultural fields, a Capped Wheatear and Large-billed Lark were seen on the fencelines. A Levaillant’s Cisticola, a Blue Crane pair with chicks, and Karoo Korhaan were other notable sightings, then a group of Spotted Thick-knee. Later, a pair of Korhaan with chicks hiding under the adult’s wing for shade was a delight to see.

Karoo Korhaan

Blue crane with chicks

Our next stop by a small copse finally produced a Pied Barbet to keep our guide happy at last. Our first Hamerkop of the trip was seen in flight from the bus, and later a group of Wattled Starlings were spotted on the backs of a flock of sheep. It was not clear if they were after wool for nesting purposes or picking insects off their fleece. A showy Laughing Dove was on display at a toilet stop at a service station, to add to our daily tally. 

Wattled Starlings

Returning to the farm via the river bridge, we added Yellow Bishop, another Giant Kingfisher and Red-billed Teal to our tally from this morning.

After dinner we tried once again for the African Wood Owls, and this time we had better success. The birds could be heard hooting nearby, and Andy identified which tree they were in, and with the aid of the spotlight, we could clearly see orange eyes, white face, and their wing pattern. We also noted how they flicked their wings as they hooted, before leaving them in peace. It was a rewarding and exhilarating experience to end the day.