In the last week I managed to squeeze a bit of spare time in to get out ringing again. Darvill proved a fruitful morning, and a few days later up in Howick in a local birdlife members garden. It is a lovely garden with plenty of space to put up mistnets. The nectar feeders attract a number of sunbirds, but unfortunately the Gurneys Sugarbirds were not present that morning for my big month list.
So the numbers climb, 65 species and about 450 individuals have passed through these clumsy fingers. there is still a fair way to go for the general ringing license. But a recent permitting condition for the eagle research was to be SAFRING registered, and so I now have a registration number and authority card outlining permissions to use various raptor trapping methods to ring raptors, alongside this Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife issued a permit for the province of Natal, and I celebrated this with a quick drive up to Cato ridge, where we caught and ringed one Jackal Buzzard and had a missed opportunity at a Long-crested Eagle.
So the numbers climb, 65 species and about 450 individuals have passed through these clumsy fingers. there is still a fair way to go for the general ringing license. But a recent permitting condition for the eagle research was to be SAFRING registered, and so I now have a registration number and authority card outlining permissions to use various raptor trapping methods to ring raptors, alongside this Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife issued a permit for the province of Natal, and I celebrated this with a quick drive up to Cato ridge, where we caught and ringed one Jackal Buzzard and had a missed opportunity at a Long-crested Eagle.
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| Yellow-throated Longclaw Macronyx croceus |
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| African Pygmy Kingfisher Ispidina picta |
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| male Dideric Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius |
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| Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis |
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| Amethyst Sunbird Chalcomitra amethystina |
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| Malachite Sunbird Nectarinia famosa |
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| Dusky Indigobird Vidua funerea |
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| African Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis |
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| Burchells Coucal Centropus burchelli |
Hi,my wife and I will be staying at the Fairmont,Zimbali,Lodge,during February 2013.Could you tell me if the Crowned Eagles will still be in the area at that time of the year.I am keen bird watcher and ringer from Kent,England.Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHello Alan
ReplyDeleteYes the eagles nest at Zimbali Lodge has been successful again this year. The nestling is now about 85 days old and will fledge at between 100 and 120 days. It will definitely still be very nearby in February as the adults will continue to feed it on the nest.
Regards
Hi,Thanks for that,much appreciated,all the best Alan.
ReplyDeleteHi again,as you already know my wife and I will be staying at Zimbali (Forest lodges) during February 2013.We hope to spend a lot of that time birdwatching on the estate.We are presuming the whole estate will be safe to walk over,along the beach and forest paths etc,or will be be restricted in certain areas due to security reasons,as with many other places in South Africa.
ReplyDeleteAlso could you let us know of a good vantage point where we have a good chance of seeing the Crowned eagles as we would hate not to see them.Hope you can help,all the very best for the New Year.
The nest can be seen in the gums from the Fairmont Zimbali resteraunt. The wooden balcony between the pool and the stairs leading to the path. Look straight across at eye level. You cant miss it.
ReplyDeleteThere are no safety concerns within the estate. Though there might be security reasons for sensitive areas and so fourth, so pays to ask.
Hi,thanks for that,most appreciated.
ReplyDelete