Birds, Hippos & Monkeys At Hara Langano Lodge

Posted on July 17, 2017 by Tara

You don’t have to go far to start seeing birds and even the elegant Colobus Monkey, a walk around the Hara Langano Lodge grounds or even just sitting by the lake will do!

Weaverbird nests are everywhere!

Those are flamingoes beyond the horses.

Egyptian Geese are common.

This Bare-faced Go-away Bird didn’t tell us to go away, the slacker!

These hippos stayed in the lake but they are known to come into the lodge grounds.

The beautiful Colobus Monkeys stayed in the trees, they don’t try to steal food like other monkeys I have seen around the world.

Sociable Weaver (Philetairus socius)

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Tara

The Sociable Weaver (Philetairus socius), also commonly known as the common social weaver, common social-weaver, and social weaver, is a species of bird in the Passeridae family endemic to Southern Africa. It is monotypic within the genus Philetairus. They build large compound community nests, a rarity among birds. These nests are perhaps the most spectacular structure built by any bird.

It is found in South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana but their range is centered within the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. They are literally everywhere in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Be careful when you are driving as they love to dart across roads in front of cars – some kind of strange kamikaze game maybe?

LEARN MORE ABOUT SOCIABLE WEAVERS

Wikipedia

Birdlife

Audubon

VIDEOS

Some huge nests here!

David Attenborough’s doco on Sociable Weavers.

The Birds Of Pretoriuskop Restcamp

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Tara

As promised, here are some of the amazing birds of Pretoriuskop Restcamp. I was thrilled to see so many Brown-headed Parrots which were my main target bird, but there were lots of other great birds too!

This first batch of photos was taken near the laundry room in the late afternoon.

Helmeted Guinea-fowl

African Green Pigeon

Purple-crested Turaco – stunning bird, photos don’t do them justice!

Black-collared Barbet

These remaining photos were taken early in the morning. We were up around 5:30 and we spent a good 3 hours just wandering around following the birds (especially the parrots) as they went about their daily activities.

Grey-headed Bush-shrike

Finally! A flock of Brown-headed Parrots!

They really like the trees just outside cabin 124!

African Mourning Dove

Scarlet-chested Sunbird

Meanwhile back at the cabin, Ina was watching the Crested Guinea-fowls who came right up to us and the monkeys who were trying to rob some campers of breakfast.

The Brown-headed Parrots beckoned again and we were off chasing them as they flew from tree to tree.

We also saw several Purple-headed Turacos!

The Grey Go-away Bird told me to g’wayyyyyyyy……………so I did and kept following the parrots.

Black-collared Barbet

G’waaayyyyyyyyyy!

Crested Barbet

Dark-capped Bulbul

Blue Waxbill

Southern Black Flycatcher

Red-headed Weaver

Black-backed Puffback

Yellow-fronted Canary

As we were pulling out of the camp, I spotted this Purple Crested Turaco and anther Bulbul in the trees outside reception.

Obviously this is not a complete list of all the birds you can find here, this is just what we saw on one particular early November morning.

Other Birding Locations Near King William’s Town

Posted on December 22, 2014 by Tara

Although the Cape Parrots were by far the main attraction, there are some other birds to keep an eye out for in and around King William’s Town.

HOSPITAL AREA

High up on a hill just in front of the hospital are a few trees with hundreds of birds – herons, egrets, ibises all crowding together in a few select trees. The sight and sounds of these birds has to be seen to be believed!

Undaunted by the larger birds, it’s business as usual for these little Cape Weavers.

POND OUTSIDE OF TOWN

I’m not sure if this pond has a name but it does attract a lot of different waterbirds such as various ducks and geese. I forgot to take notes so hopefully someone can help me identify them. Sadly there is a lot of rubbish dumped around the pond by locals which made me a bit uncomfortable being around there. What kind of people would want to spoil what would otherwise be a nice, peaceful area?