Borakalalo N.P. - View of the dam

Well, we’ve been there often before, as regular visitors to this site and readers of this blog will know!  However, we never tire of it as each visit always yields a brilliant crop of birds – not to mention some wonderful surprises.  The weather in South Africa has become very cold as winter sets in in earnest.  We wondered whether this would affect the birding but reflected that it would be slightly warmer at Borakalalo, which it was!  It didn’t affect the birding either – our final list numbered around 76 species – about three more than last time.

The birding was quiet at first on account of the weather and we drove slowly around the dam.  The water levels had dropped and the reed beds died back significantly due to the cold, so we were better able to see wetland species hugging the shoreline.  Today, there were a number of Squacco Herons, together with the inevitable Reed Cormorants and African Darters.  A few White-breasted Cormorants were also on show.  Majestic, white Giant Egrets perched on rocks, while small flocks of Egyptian Geese sailed past.  Hippos grunted as we pulled into a small inlet, which revealed several African Jacanas.  (Jock took some particularly beautiful photographs of these birds framed by their reflections in the still water.)  A Grey Heron waded slowly and somewhat regally through the water while a trio silhouetted against the light formed an odd freize according to size (African Spoonbill, then Squacco Heron and then a Pied Kingfisher).  We saw a few of the latter hovering and perching but none seemed to catch anything. 

An African Jacana contemplates its reflection

The bushveld side of the dam was relatively empty of Lilac-breasted Rollers today.  However, we did see a wide variety of birds including several Crimson-breasted Shrikes, together with Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Southern Black Tit, Blue-billed Firefinch, Fork-tailed Drongo (making an effort to find and catch insects by flying into the firebreaks staff were burning along the roads), Long-tailed Crombec, Common Waxbill, Crested Francolin, Magpie Shrike and a Burchells Coucal, who hid in the long grass and defied Jock’s efforts to photograph it.  We heard African Fish Eagles calling but did not see them today – apart from one individual perched on the edge of the dam wall, from which we gathered he had an amazing view of the water course.

We drove north along the reserve’s main road beside the river stopping to photograph impala running by.  However, this part of the veld was quiet, so we decided to try for the bird hides and see what we might find there.  As often happens, there wasn’t much at first.  Presently a flock of Blue Waxbills flew in, followed by a Marico Flycatcher and Cape Penduline Tit.  A pair of Burchells Coucals made an appearance while a Brown-hooded Kingfisher perching prominently made for perfect photographs.  Fork-tailed Drongos amused us with their antics and a few Magpie Shrikes alerted us to their presence as they flew in, uttering their raucous calls.  A Malachite Kingfisher slipped onto a perch above the pool almost unnoticed.  We also saw Crimson-breasted Shrikes.  The sound of lapping water alerted us to a Red-billed Teal accompanied by a flock of goslings (very unusual for this time of year and very late in the season), which were very sweet to watch as they paddled and up-ended through a pool.  Interestingly, they appeared to be accompanied by a juvenile Great Crested Grebe (there was no sign of the adults anywhere); I wondered if the mother teal had noticed that she had acquired an unusual hanger-on! 

Cardinal Woodpecker

We left to drive back to the day visitors’ area, where we hoped to see a few good sightings before heading for home.  As always, we were not disappointed.  The late afternoon sun shone on Red-billed Hornbills in the grass, while Bennett’s Woodpeckers searched for ants in the ground and flew into the trees.  Chinspot Batis, Blue Waxbill, Golden-breasted Bunting, Brubru and small flocks of Lemon-breasted Canaries also graced the spot.  The best were the woodpeckers, however – a tapping Cardinal Woodpecker flew everywhere and quite stole the show!

As the shadows lengthened and the cooler weather came in, we decided that it was unfortunately time to leave.  When I tallied up the bird list this time, I was astounded to find that it recorded an incredible 76 species – in the middle of winter on a rather chilly day!  Not all of them were birds we had seen at Borakalalo before either, so it goes to show…

Borakalalo can be combined with Pilanesberg National Park for an extension to an overnight excursion.  It is highly recommended for birders winter and summer.  Contact us to arrange your accompanied, tailor-made itinerary incorporating both these excellent reserves and birding spots.  (Min 4 pax; max 8 pax).