The Trekkie's Forum

Hi Batty

I would consider a possible trip to Ezemvelo game reserve - I picked up the following birds on a weekend there last year this time.

Red Winged Francolin
Orange River Francolin
African Quailfinch (100's)
Melodious Lark (near the park - towards Vlaklaagte)
Dark Capped Yellow Warbler
Barrows Korhaan
Eastern Clapper Lark (lots around)
Striped Pipit (behind the chalets)

We did not see the following but they do also occur in this area

Denhams Bustard (better towards Vlaklaagte)
Sand Martin (apparently are common at the dam but I saw none)

I had a great sighting of Great Reed Warbler at Northern Farm earlier this year which is a bit closer to home.

A lot of these are also on my target list for Gauteng - I am hoping to pick up a few of these on a Warbler/Rallid weekend next year in the Zaagkuildrift - Kgomo-Kgomo area.

Good luck

Sounds great Batty - I have also never even been to Wakkerstroom and there would be quite a few lifers for me there.

I will be lucky if I even get to 500 by the end of 2012
Other than the Warbler weekend I have very few birding trips planned for next year. Maybe a few of us should hook up early next year for a White Backed Night Heron hunt at Bora and will hopefully pick up a few of the other specials.

Ja.. and you forget to tell Trevor it takes some moolah to get to 500

Hell, but I travelled like a mad king this last year to get my 500 ..

Punda, Garden Route, Cape Town, Memel, Karoo etc... and the worst part is, I dipped on so many specials at these places, I need to return

(not complaining about the last part )

Bats.. sorry for not replying with better help here.. busy busy..

Just quickly.. Devon should be your best bet to track down Common Quail.. (if you are early and lucky). I flushed them just by driving down the gravel roads not sure on which points in Chamberlain.. will have a look tonight.

Devon once again will be a certainty and best bet to get those ORFrancolin.. they almost seem common there, and you can tick it off so long if you visit this spot.

Dwarf Bittern - Zaagkuil - early to mid January (if the area had good rain)
or just tag along Mark, he seems to keep a spare one in his boot.

Marsh Warbler - Zaagkuil - MPCA dam area between points 2-3 in chamberlains.. they were shouting their butts off there around February this year.

River Warbler, March - Zaagkuil - I am also going to go look for them next year. Heard them this year, but the rain spoilt my chances of getting a view.. so dipped horribly

White Backed Night Heron - Just ask Mark.. he breeds with them in his back yard and makes them pose for photo's then he posts them on here..
Bora.. Bora.. bora..

Dark Capped Yellow Warbler - I have searched for this thing in and around Gauteng without success.. I believe they aren't that common around here, and most people have told me further afield is better such as Drakensberg area etc.

Things like the Pygmy Goose is difficult, it is all luck and rain dependant. If it is going to be dry this year, then your chances will probably be slim.


Ok.. I have gotta go work.. but in all honesty.. Here is how I would do your life list.. Devon, Bora, Mabusa/Old verena Spa road is an absolute must and you will certainly hit a lot of those lifers.. Wait until Jan-Feb and check the forums for updates on Zaagkuil.. if it is dry, you will be wasting your time, but if you time it right, you can hit some of those specials on one day.

Thanks for the help danie! enjoy work and we can chat later


For sure Trevor, birding isnt about pushing your list as high as you can, yes some of us love the adrenaline rush but we are a "different breed" if you may. We chase down birds and push our lists but we enjoy and admire these works of art that god has given us while we do so

looking forward to planning a trip next year with you and everyone else! let me know where your best chances of getting lifers are and we can head out and hunt them down

Well said Batty - any time out in nature is a blessing whether you get the lifers or not

As you said - we are a different breed. I am not even a serious birder and my wife thinks I am totaly nuts with all the research and possible lifer lists I make for each area etc.

Look forward to a few good outings with you next year

I better also get back to work

As a lot of other folks have already said on this forum - I am sure you have an amazing future ahead of you - and doing something that you love which is awesome

I am sure a lot of us "old toppies" here wish we had followed our dreams as you are